Chaps and chapesses,

Took my thermostat out today cos the gauge always reads very low and the in-car heating is, well, inexistant.

The one I took out of the car is an 82 degrees, the only I can get at the moment is an 88 degrees.

Will this be ok to use, or should I wait till I can get an 82 deg one ?

Thanks and happy new year to you all.

 

 

M8 i would fit whatever ford suppy as if your heater is a bit cool you may have other issues


Test your old stat 1st m8
stick it in a pan of water and heat it up and test the temp that the stat opens up 1st

 

Cheers, will do.

 

Tested the thermostat and it appears to open at roughly the right temp (82 degrees), allowing for inaccuracies with the kitchen thermometer I used.

It doesn't close 100% when put in cold water, but left alone long enough it will close up.

So, lack of hot air in the car would be a gunged up heater matrix I guess

 

88 will be best for winter really.

i run a 82 and is too cold on motor way work at mo.

 

could be an air lock in the heater matrix...

 

Not on my one, as i have disconnected my matrix.

 

 

That's what I thought when I woke up this morning - ahhh, the wonders of alcohol...

will have to check it at some point during the week.

 

try bleeding the system too sometime u can get air lock in the thermostat housing

82deg is right thermostat

the 88deg one is what halford and the many motor factors supply

 

We had lots of over heating problems with 88 degree t/stats in my Dad's car. They were Ford t/stats too.

Halfords do supply 82 degrees t/stats. HTK606 is the part number IIRC. We had to use this to cure the problems as the Ford t/stats were useless.

 

Frog, don't draw TOO much conclusion from the hot water test on your old stat... I've just changed one (different car) that behaves exactly as you'd expect in hot water (stays firmly shut until it sees boiling water out of the kettle) , but in the car the coolant temperature never goes above 75 degrees while it's moving!! New stat, problem solved..

 

Thanks for that, I'll try and flush the heater matrix then re-fit the thermostat. If that's no better, I'll get a new stat.

Cheers

 

82 degrees is fine and should see the car running approx 82 degrees, this will give a VERY hot heater. I suggest you:

A) The matrix isnt clogged with crap externally. (Leaves etc)
B) Take both water pipes off and check water is flowing ok.
c) Change the Matrix.

 

Thanks Stu,
82 degrees is indeed very hot and toasty in our 2wd but the 4x4's like a fridge at the mo, takes a long time to get even a smidgen of heat from the vents.

I guess that technically, running the engine at 88 degrees isn't a good idea, do the extra 6 degrees (+/- variation in stat) make a big difference ?

 

88 degrees is actually the ideal temp, but lower is a little better imo even if it does cost a little bhp and mpg.

 

Ok, quick update for those who happen to stumble across this in the future.

Thermostat tested ok, but, as mentionned above, I decided to get another one anyway.
Flushed the heater matrix and it's positively roasting in there now

Thanks for the tips lads.