North American Turbocoupe Organization



T-stat question (how to tell if it busted)
Scott Evil Offline
Senior Member
#1
I am pretty sure my TC's thermostat is shot. It started a couple weeks ago. I was driving to work and noticed that after 10 miles of interstate travel the temp needle was still in the blue on the gauge. I also wasn't getting much heat out of the vents. It has been damn cold in Ohio so I undertsand it may take some time to heat up, but this seems too long. No matter how long the motor the needle doesn't move into NORM where as it used.

Yesterday, I started the motor cold and the fan started to cycle on and off for about 2 seconds. I am guessing it is related. Anyone had this problem before?
1986 SVO 1D <19,000 miles
2001 Audi S4 Silver (the fastest color)
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Kev Offline
Posting Freak
#2
The fan is supposed to cycle upon start up. You can tell if your t-stat is stuck open by looking at it, just take it out and if there is a gap where it is supposed to be closed then it is shot. A new thermostat is around 5 to 8 bucks, and one of the easiest things to change on these engines. Just find yourself a warm garage and you'll be set. Might as well buy a new thermostat to put in it since you have to take the old one out to check it. Preventive maintenance. 195 degree thermostat is stock and should get you all the heat you need, but I run a 180 degree t-stat in mine for the hot summer months. Good luck!

Kev
Kev
1988 TC 5spd
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#3
I don't think all bad stats stick open when they are cold. I just changed the one on my wife's Explorer and her gauge needle hasn't seen the normal zone for years. The stat I took out was closed. After I put the new one in and started the car, the needle was in the normal zone in less than 10 minutes idling. She was getting heat from the heater but not as much as my other vehicles and that's what tipped me off. I thought the gauge was bad because ear;lier this year I put in a new sending unit which made no change.

The only way to really test them is to put them in a pan of water and heat them up using a cooking thermometer for reference.

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm
Pete Dunham


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Kev Offline
Posting Freak
#4
I use the cooking pan trick when I have a car that is overheating. It the t-stat won't open when the water boils, then it's time for a new one. But I don't see how you could use the cooking pan to tell if it is opening way to soon unless you have a thermometer on it too...yeah, just answered my own question.
Kev
1988 TC 5spd
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Scott Evil Offline
Senior Member
#5
The gauge used to function normally so I think this is a recent problem.

It looks like an easy swap and I can put my new aluminium housing on too.
1986 SVO 1D <19,000 miles
2001 Audi S4 Silver (the fastest color)
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#6
And if you drill and tap the boss on the new housing you can run the stock gauge and an aftermarket gauge at the same time

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm
Pete Dunham


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Forcedbird Offline
Member
#7
Is running cold because of a bad t-stat bad for your engine?
88 TC

HY 35, Ported Oval head w/OS valves, EEC Tuner, Bob's MOAL, .510 lift cam, Tial 38mm wastegate, K&N in fender, Kirban AFPR, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, 57 lb inj., GN intercooler, Gillis valve, Race eng. adjustable cam pulley, HKS SSQV BOV, Steeda Tri-ax shifter, 4" DP to 2 1/2" exhaust, no muffers, Timing set to 12* BTDC, 26 psi of boost. Needs to get tuned!

Proud to be a NATO member!
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#8
Quote:Originally posted by Pete D:
And if you drill and tap the boss on the new housing you can run the stock gauge and an aftermarket gauge at the same time


Thats what I did with my new housing. Now I really know that my coolant temp is!

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 20 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 00 Windstar (wifes vehicle)
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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