Thermostat Freezing Here and There...

[Ramphix]

Well I am about to buy a 1995 Eagle Talon Esi from my friend which used to have a turbo. Well I asked him if anything engine / mechanical wise was wrong with the car and he said the thermostat sometimes freezes up and the cars engine heats up... but then he said other times he can drive 3-4 hours and the engine will stay cool.

What do you think this could be and how much to fix it? I am buying this vehicle for $1500 with a couple dents in it ( not bad ones ) and this problem. The vehicle also is a 5 speed. Please help.

 

[Nicks2319]

I'd start with a new thermostat. $15 (I believe?) for a lifetime warrantied one at Auto Zone.

 

[Ramphix]

Alright sounds good. If that doesn't work what else could it be?

 

[blueninteytwo]

when my T-stat went bad, the engine ran COLD... and it was crap on the car's fuel economy...

clogged radiator comes to mind....

umm.. for cost, like $10 for the thermostat, $2 for a new gasket, and $2 for some black sealant... i forgot the sealant the first time, and it leaked on me

 

[Nicks2319]

when my T-stat went bad, the engine ran COLD... and it was crap on the car's fuel economy...

clogged radiator comes to mind....

umm.. for cost, like $10 for the thermostat, $2 for a new gasket, and $2 for some black sealant... i forgot the sealant the first time, and it leaked on me

Well it depends on if the thermostat is stuck open or closed. If it sticks open you have the lesser of two evils. Replace the thermostat first and do a radiator flush for good measure, a flush works wonders!

 

[Ramphix]

Will I be able to find out how to replace the thermostat in a haynes manual?

 

[Nicks2319]

Yes, but it's easy. Just remember to put the thermostat back in the correct way. So pay attention when you take the old one out.

 

[Defiant]

If that doesn't fix it, it could be a failing water pump.

 

[blueninteytwo]

Well it depends on if the thermostat is stuck open or closed. If it sticks open you have the lesser of two evils. Replace the thermostat first and do a radiator flush for good measure, a flush works wonders!

I didn't know i needed help with that problem... i replaced that bad boy a LONG time ago and yah, it was stuck open, stayed too cold all the time and ran SOOO pig rich... it was disgusting... i didn't actually flush it but the fluid looked like CRAP!

oh yah, and if you suspect a bad pump they have what they call a weep hole on them... you'll be able to see spotting where coolant was leaking out of the valve and that tells you that the pump needs replacement..