Running Hot

[Gottolovem]

I would do another test run let the gauge ride up to where Petros suggests. My t-stat opens when the gauge gets to around 3/4 sometimes even higher then it drops off fast.(DON'T REDLINE IT)!
If it still doesn't cool off try again with no t-stat at all, see if that produces a result.

[jimcrazy]

mine runs up around 3/4 my t-stat is a 182deg I think it was the highest I could get, at -20c on the highway stays up nice at 3/4

[marlinh]

Have you used a infrared temp gun to check against your gauge. Does it overheat when idling, on the highway? Have you confirmed that all the air is out of the cooling system? Has the electric fan ever cycled on? You need to be able to see the inside of the rad to determine if it can cool properly. If it has a build up of white corrosion then it is a problem.

[xirdneh]

too bad there is no surefire easy test for clogged radiator
the only test that works for sure is swapping in a known good radiator
if the radiator looks like its the original, 30 years old, that increases the odds for bad radiator

[shambug]

Well I know I'm going to lose some man points for telling you all, and I did consider not telling, but I figured if I am this stupid maybe someone else is too. I did put the thermostat in backwards. I know you say it can not be done, but my thermostat fits perfectly both ways, did not leak and the gasket fits with the thermostat both ways. When I removed the original one, coolant spilled out after removing the housing bolts, causing the thermostat to dislodge without me seeing witch direction it was installed. To add to the confusion the diagram in the FSM (CO-11) to me looks like it goes in backwards although not a very detailed diagram. At the time I was not aware of exactly how the thermostat worked. After watching a video on how they worked, it became obvious witch way it goes in. I mainly just didn't know how it opened. Guess your just supposed to know some things. I went on a 50 mile test and seems to be working now. Runs a little hotter then it did before this all started, it stays right at the top of the picture of a thermometer in the middle of the engine temperature gauge, but I can live with that.

[Gottolovem]

You're not in an exclusive club!
Anyone that swings a wrench regularly has done something wrong at some point in time.
Glad to hear your car is back up and running

[dlb]

don't sweat it. we've all got some similar stories. i think my last one was when i forgot a stand was underneath my corolla when i lowered the jack. almost put a hole through the oil pan. live and learn!

i don't know if a backwards thermostat would change much though, unless the force of the coolant traveling in its normal direction might push the thermostat closed? i can't remember which they go right now either so that idea might not even apply. anyway, keep an eye on it and good luck.

[Petros]

you must have a brand that allows it to go in either way, most of them are too large at one end to go in backwards. It is an easy enough mistake to make, good thing you found it. It would likely still work, but it will get much hotter before it opens since the temp sensitive side will be on the "cool" side of the cooling system.

The side that responds to the temp changes goes to the "hot" or engine side. That is the larger side with the big spring on it.

[marlinh]

As everyone else said, we've all made mistakes wrenching. Sharing it with others may help prevent someone else making the same one. From what I remember, a backwards installed thermostat usually causes overheating. If it doesn't, it will definitely have erratic readings on gauge.