New thermostat is sticking

[dec322]

I just replaced my thermostat because it was sticking. The car was overheating and the heat was blowing cold. As soon as the temp gauge started dropping the heat would come back on. Well, yesterday it did the same thing (briefly).....it rose to about 200.....my Tstat is a 180.

Interesting facts: I replaced it 1 1/2 weeks ago. Since then I have put about 500 miles on it without a problem (trip to ATL and back). I don't have an overflow tank. There are no leaks. The Tstat came from my local parts store.

Is it normal for a new Tstat to stick?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

You sure you've got it in right side up?......seriously!

 

[dec322]

You sure you've got it in right side up?......seriously!

Yes. I was anal about this part. I've read about people putting them in wrong so I made sure that I did it right.

Also, if it was wrong, would it have ran fine for the first 500 miles? It has only happened once so maybe it was just fluke......I guess.

 

[dec322]

Today I add some more coolant and the problem is fixed. I just need to get an overflow tank and be done with it. Soon.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Ahhhh, that was going to be my next suggestion. I had it happen to me with an old Bronco II I had. The radiator leaked and I wasn't staying on top of it. Low coolant levels kept playing havock with my cooling system everytime it opened and closed the thermostat.

 

[Harleytwostar]

First of all are you sure it's a thermostat problem and not just a gauge problem? If you really suspect the thermostat, pull it out and check it with a cooking thermometer in a pot of boiling water and see what temp she is actually opening at.........sounds more like a gauge problem to me though.

r/ George

 

[Gearbanger 101]

First of all are you sure it's a thermostat problem and not just a gauge problem? If you really suspect the thermostat, pull it out and check it with a cooking thermometer in a pot of boiling water and see what temp she is actually opening at.........sounds more like a gauge problem to me though.

r/ George

Well, based on these symptoms, I'd say it was more than just his gauge acting up.

The car was overheating and the heat was blowing cold. As soon as the temp gauge started dropping the heat would come back on.

 

[dec322]

The gauge is an electric autometer gauge installed about 3 months ago. Not a gauge problem.

Another day today with steady heat and a perfect operating cooling system. Low coolant is the enemy. It has been defeated.