So I've had this phantom overheating problem since I had my thermostat replaced with an aftermarket one last January. First it had air in the system and overheated at an ambient temp of 10 degrees F. Got the air out and things got better, but still overheated randomly. As the weather warmed up it started overheating again. I can always "rescue it" by turning the AC off and sometimes using the heat. The other day I didn't notice the temp going up and blew the upper radiator hose. Now mind you when I say overheated I mean high normal, looks like 3/4 of a tank of gas on the gauge.

Anyways I ordered an OEM thermostat from courtesy and attempted to put it in today. I got the housing off and cleaned the surfaces really well, observed the differences between the two thermostats and once I had all the silicon and gasket wet and ready I went to plug the new OEM thermostat in and it was too big! There was no way it was going in there. Damnit. Since the silicon was drying up fast I just stuck the housing back on with no thermostat.

Now I guess I have to wait 24 hours to put coolant in and test drive it. It really sucks to think I have to do this again soon. Is it OK to drive with no thermostat for the rest of the summer? Any ideas on why the OEM wouldn't fit?

 

1. They shipped you the wrong t-stat..

2. you dont have to wait to put coolant in and drive it....the silicone+ gasket seals within minutes of installation..

3. you will use more fuel without a t-stat(the car will stay in open loop alot longer)

 

Anytime you "blow" a rad hose or any other hose on the cooling system you have maintenance quality issues - the radiator cap was designed to prevent exactly those occurrences ....................... I would therefore suggest replacement of the radiator cap too

 

Radiator cap is new, all the hoses are original the one that blew had two pin holes.

 

replace all of the coolant hoses (even the PITA heater core and throttle body hoses) while you have it apart. after 20 years, those things tend to die one at a time until you've spent $300 in antifreeze and replaced $150 worth of hoses.

And yes, you got eh wrong T stat. maybe one for a VQ or VE or something. or maybe you're just smoking crack, but that's prolly not the case since you can at least spell and posted coherent thoughts.

 

+1 replace hoses, verify part number by checking the online catalog and compare to that of your OEM t stat box. What kind of cap did you get? Stant? OEM? I believe the OEM is 13-16 PSI ish, not sure if aftermarket is of equivalent PSI

Have you ever used water in the system for an extended period of time, if so you just may need a good coolant flush to get all that gunk/rust out.

 

Itwas definately the thermostat causing the overheating. I drove around today in several different types of driving with the AC on max and she stayed below the middle on the temp gauge. The cooling passages are clean as new. But yes the hoses are a wreck, I have an oil leak and a power steering leak which I don't have the place or the mechanical ability to address. So I'm gonna to put her in the shop for the leaks and all the belts including the T belt. Then I'll start replacing hoses and vacuum tubes that are all soggy. $,$$$.......

 

Oh and as for the cap it is whatever they handed me at carquest, made in mexico. Seems OK though.

 

.... i posted something stupid which i erased so i dont look like an idiot... THANKS.

 

You must have been shipped the wrong thermostat, no other thing I can think of.....

 

Or he's putting it in the wrong hole!!!! It's been done!!!!

 

...... It hate it when that happens.