Thermostat...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Thermostat...
As some of you have followed, I recently had a coolant reservoir go bad on me on the highway and I ended up running the car in a "reduce power mode" for about a mile to get a tow. Well, the reservoir came in today and I replaced it. The car started right up, added the coolant, change the oil (no coolant issue there either) and the thermostat never opened up so the car got up to 240 before I shut her down. I am thinking that my thermostat is shot.
The car does not have any leaks and no knocking, so hopefully a new thermostat fixes it. I am posting up in TECH to see what others think.
Thanks,
Micah
The car does not have any leaks and no knocking, so hopefully a new thermostat fixes it. I am posting up in TECH to see what others think.
Thanks,
Micah
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
At 240 deg, both fans should have been operating, was that the case, was there warm air coming out from behind them? As previously stated, verify that the cooling system is filled to capacity.
Before spending the money on a new t-stat, you can check it's operation by placing in a pan with water while on the stove, heat it and see whether it opens. I believe the stock t-stat opens around 195 deg F. I use and infrared thermometer to check the temperature of the water; a meat thermometer would probably work as long at the temperature range goes sufficiently high.
Every thermostat I've ever suspected of not opening I've tested this way, as a matter of fact, I don't recall ever having one not open.
Before spending the money on a new t-stat, you can check it's operation by placing in a pan with water while on the stove, heat it and see whether it opens. I believe the stock t-stat opens around 195 deg F. I use and infrared thermometer to check the temperature of the water; a meat thermometer would probably work as long at the temperature range goes sufficiently high.
Every thermostat I've ever suspected of not opening I've tested this way, as a matter of fact, I don't recall ever having one not open.
Last edited by ipuig; Jul 21, 2009 at 08:11 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years
Joe Kucinski
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
# Fill the system through the surge tank opening.
# Fill half the capacity of the system with 100 percent DEX-COOL® coolant.
# Slowly add clean drinkable water to the system until the level reaches to the base of the neck.
# Start the engine.
# Idle engine for 1 minute.
# Install surge tank cap.
# Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
# Shut off the engine.
# Refer to step 3 above to remove the surge tank cap.
# Start the engine.
# Idle engine for 1 minute and fill surge tank to 1/2 inch above COLD FULL mark on the radiator surge tank.
# Install the surge tank cap.
# Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
# Shut off the engine.
# Top off coolant as necessary, 1/2 inch above FULL COLD mark on the radiator surge tank.
# Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the compartment.
# Inspect the concentration of the coolant.
# Fill half the capacity of the system with 100 percent DEX-COOL® coolant.
# Slowly add clean drinkable water to the system until the level reaches to the base of the neck.
# Start the engine.
# Idle engine for 1 minute.
# Install surge tank cap.
# Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
# Shut off the engine.
# Refer to step 3 above to remove the surge tank cap.
# Start the engine.
# Idle engine for 1 minute and fill surge tank to 1/2 inch above COLD FULL mark on the radiator surge tank.
# Install the surge tank cap.
# Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
# Shut off the engine.
# Top off coolant as necessary, 1/2 inch above FULL COLD mark on the radiator surge tank.
# Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the compartment.
# Inspect the concentration of the coolant.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
# Fill the system through the surge tank opening.
# Fill half the capacity of the system with 100 percent DEX-COOL® coolant.
# Slowly add clean drinkable water to the system until the level reaches to the base of the neck.
# Start the engine.
# Idle engine for 1 minute.
# Install surge tank cap.
# Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
# Shut off the engine.
# Refer to step 3 above to remove the surge tank cap.
# Start the engine.
# Idle engine for 1 minute and fill surge tank to 1/2 inch above COLD FULL mark on the radiator surge tank.
# Install the surge tank cap.
# Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
# Shut off the engine.
# Top off coolant as necessary, 1/2 inch above FULL COLD mark on the radiator surge tank.
# Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the compartment.
# Inspect the concentration of the coolant.
# Fill half the capacity of the system with 100 percent DEX-COOL® coolant.
# Slowly add clean drinkable water to the system until the level reaches to the base of the neck.
# Start the engine.
# Idle engine for 1 minute.
# Install surge tank cap.
# Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
# Shut off the engine.
# Refer to step 3 above to remove the surge tank cap.
# Start the engine.
# Idle engine for 1 minute and fill surge tank to 1/2 inch above COLD FULL mark on the radiator surge tank.
# Install the surge tank cap.
# Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
# Shut off the engine.
# Top off coolant as necessary, 1/2 inch above FULL COLD mark on the radiator surge tank.
# Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the compartment.
# Inspect the concentration of the coolant.
Also, its probably a good idea to change the T-stat anyway.
