overheating...

Carguylen · Post by **Carguylen** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:50 pm

My car is getting hot. I just got it last week, and it's been sitting for a year or so, so I put some Prestone Super Flush in it, the fan is going on when it's supposed to, so I wanted to take the thermostat out. I know some cars don't run as good without them. I live in southren California, so it isn't going to be cold for a while.
Is there a problem running the car without a thermostat?

Thanks..

Lateer · Post by **Lateer** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:05 pm

No problem at all.
Just so long as you remember to put one back in before it gets cold.

Else it'll take absolutely ages to warm up when you first start it.

I had mine without a thermostat for a winter, as it failed in summer and I didn't have the cash to replace it.

Carguylen · Post by **Carguylen** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:58 pm

yeah, they can be expensive, especially when your struggling a little. I live in the mountians in California, so yeah, I'll put one in for sure before it snows again.
Thanks

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 10:47 pm

According to the FSM "The thermostat on the 3A and 3A-C engines is equipped with a by-pass valve. Therefore, if the engine tends to overheat, removal of the thermostat coil adversely (a)ffects cooling efficiency."

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 11:37 pm

Ditto that - my Bentley warns of the same thing.

Have you looked at your radiator's condition? The '84 I purchased was missing about 1/3 of its fins, right in the area where the fan blows through... The joys of purchasing a car that spent its life on the coast...

Good luck,

Jerry

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 1:12 pm

Check for a significant number of flattened fins. Air doesn't flow through= fluid doesn't cool.

Is there an aluminum rad. that will fit?

Carguylen · Post by **Carguylen** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 6:27 pm

I ran some Super Flush through it, put a new thermostat in, and put new coolant in. See what happens. I was wondering if the fan is only supposed to go on for 15-30 seconds max. Mine is doing this. I might need a new switch.
Thanks for the info

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 7:07 am

Carguylen wrote: I ran some Super Flush through it, put a new thermostat in, and put new coolant in. See what happens. I was wondering if the fan is only supposed to go on for 15-30 seconds max. Mine is doing this. I might need a new switch.
Thanks for the info

Fan is supposed to go on until your engine is cool.

This might be your problem. The thermoswitch for the fan might be toast. If your engine was always hot, then the fan would always be on (normally).

Carguylen · Post by **Carguylen** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:12 am

How bad is it for the fan motor to run all the time until I can get a new fan switch?

clbolt · Post by **clbolt** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:16 am

Not bad at all, if you don't mind the risk of burning out your alternator. BTDT...