Is the thermostat working???

[andy-w]

Would the following be a safe assumption???

The car has been stood for a good few hours...engine stone cold...remove the swirl pot cap...start engine...if water comes through immediately surely this means the thermostat is stuck open.

I would assume that there should be no flow of water into the swirl pot until the water in the engine has warmed up sufficiently to open the thermostat???

[GreenV8S]

Yes, that's how it should work. However, you should expect to get a trickle of water through the stat because this design often doesn't seal perfectly, and some people drill extra holes in the stat to help bleeding which gives an extra artificial leak. But you should get no more than a trickle from stone cold, and if you get more than that it probably implies that the stat has failed.

[andy-w]

yup...mine is like a tap full on....definately not just a trickle....think maybe thats what happened this morning when i put my foot down a bit....engine was still too cold and not warming up due to the stuck open thermostat...going to change it asap.

[redeye]

lower the stat in to boiling water if it opens AND stays open when hot OK if not not OK

[M@H]

andy-w said:

Would the following be a safe assumption???

Yes

[Cider Andy]

redeye said:

lower the stat in to boiling water if it opens AND stays open when hot OK if not not OK

That's quite right, but equally, as Andy assumed, it should be closed when it's cold.

[andy-w]

i thought that was the case...shut when cold open when hot but also open when broke so you still had water circulating.

Anyway i think we all agree its knackered and wants replacing...!!!

Does anyone know the part number??? i gather it should be an 80deg one???

>> Edited by andy-w on Wednesday 16th November 08:38

[Cider Andy]

I think it's supposed to open at 82°C and it's not a standard Rover part: it was a special for TVR with a wide opening. Best place is to order from a dealer.

[andy-w]

Any idea how long a job this is...had a quick look and it looks like it is just going to be a few bolts...drain coolant...change thermostat and replace...0.5 - 1 hr????

[GreenV8S]

Yes it's easy peasy, just make sure you have a new gasket to go with your new thermostat.

[dlewis]

I did this a little while ago.

From memory, drain down, remove the swirl tank pipe and dizz cap to allow HT leads to be displaced.

Fairly easy to then remove two bolts.

Make sure the stat bleed valve is at the top when you put it all back.

Fit new gasket, replace cap and hose, refill and bleed.

Half hourish job without rushing.

I think there are more problems with thermostats (locked shut, locked open, not operating in correct range than owners are aware of).

This may be the cause of some of the runnng temp queries.

>> Edited by dlewis on Thursday 17th November 00:41

[andy-w]

well li have ordered one...for the sake of £12 its got to be worth it!!!
Going to have to wait till the weekend to do it though as i cant get the car in the garage....skyline has died a death from non use and is blocking the drive..!!!!

[Pink_Floyd]

Where did you order it from as I think I also need one.

[andy-w]

Ordered from TVR Gear ([url]www.tvrgear.com[/url])...pretty cheap £12.50 but i think most places are about the same. Definatel need it...the temp cauge didnt move on my way to work today!!!

[Pink_Floyd]

Just looked, Chimaera - THERMOSTAT ( 82 c ) is £3.90 + VAT makes £4.58
The gasket is 68p although when you click to buy the gasket it says POA.

Is the thermostat the same as the one you ordered and is it that the postage has not yet been added.

Thanks.

[andy-w]

Just phoned them up...they are noit sure what they have sent and whatever it was did not have a gasket anyway!!!!!

Need to go home and see what i have been given...but yes there website does say £4.58