Thermostat?

[Bracer]

Engine will only overheat if the stat fails closed though. Mine failed open and so the water never got up to optimum temp. Probably bad things associated with that too (fuel economy etc) but has to be better than a superheated cylinder head!

Did you check the stat after you'd removed it ?

Only reason why I ask is cos all the ones I've known of have stuck shut.

The reason why the temp gauge stays cold is cos the sender is in the rad and when the stat is stuck shut the water in the rad stays cold.

Steve

[mraldonnelly]

Mine failed in the open position too. Wasn't fully open but open enough to keep the engine cold when on the motorway.

Regards

Andy

[nikgallagher]

The spring had snapped but some wax had also leaked so it was all twisted bent. Probably not the most common way to go thinking about it. You'd think they'd design them to fail open though - purely to protect the engine.

BTW - With a 'failed shut' stat, how would the temp rise in traffic? Through direct radiation of engine heat to the radiator?

[Bracer]

The spring had snapped but some wax had also leaked so it was all twisted bent. Probably not the most common way to go thinking about it. You'd think they'd design them to fail open though - purely to protect the engine.

BTW - With a 'failed shut' stat, how would the temp rise in traffic? Through direct radiation of engine heat to the radiator?

Static traffic that is. and yeah thermo convection will transfer some heat over to the rad water.

[volvotuning]

If the stat fails open and your engine runs BELOW normal temp, performance WILL be down. Why? Because the ECU will be over-fueling as it thinks it's still cold.

Adam.

[Mrsmopp]

If the stat fails open and your engine runs BELOW normal temp, performance WILL be down. Why? Because the ECU will be over-fueling as it thinks it's still cold.

Adam.

Simply stated and just what I wanted to hear - I'm only making a bar at the mo

x

[LeeT5]

I know my thermostat needs replacing but what side effects could it be causing?

x

In answer to your Q. The engine will overheat and be sick all over the floor if it is jammed shut!!!

However if it is jammed open, then it will take alot longer to warm up but generally things should remain normal as long as the temp switch is working ok and the fan cuts in once temperature is reached!

AS they are sooooooooo cheap its best to be on the safe side and get it replaced asap.

BTW who drives a yellow R in the Maidstone/ Medway area (Bloke, with orange shades and a bluetooth headset in his ears???)?
THX