3.0 thermostat
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 293
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From: Sacramento, CA, area
3.0 thermostat
I have a popup on here with a picture of a man who looks like Mr.T, telling me I'm a fool for not posting more often, so here it is:
Have had my 1991 3.0 for a while but until today had only taken it for short trips around town, no overheating problem.
Got on the freeway at 65 for first time today. Temp needle got into red in 8 miles, so I turned heater on full and slowly headed back home.
No bubbles in radiator, radiator cool, so figured it was thermostat or clogged radiator.
Now I have both the Chilton & Haynes books, but they make it sound simpler than it is. Hardest thermostat removal I've ever done! I had to detach a small hose over one of the thermo housing bolts to get a socket on it. After getting it out, found that the thermostat is stuck shut, so maybe I got lucky.
Am stuck now--using a mirror I can see the surface to be cleaned on the engine side, but with stuff in the way I can't get to it with a knife or scraper.
I know this is trivial compared to major engine work, but how do I proceed?
Ray Mac.
Have had my 1991 3.0 for a while but until today had only taken it for short trips around town, no overheating problem.
Got on the freeway at 65 for first time today. Temp needle got into red in 8 miles, so I turned heater on full and slowly headed back home.
No bubbles in radiator, radiator cool, so figured it was thermostat or clogged radiator.
Now I have both the Chilton & Haynes books, but they make it sound simpler than it is. Hardest thermostat removal I've ever done! I had to detach a small hose over one of the thermo housing bolts to get a socket on it. After getting it out, found that the thermostat is stuck shut, so maybe I got lucky.
Am stuck now--using a mirror I can see the surface to be cleaned on the engine side, but with stuff in the way I can't get to it with a knife or scraper.
I know this is trivial compared to major engine work, but how do I proceed?
Ray Mac.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 293
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From: Sacramento, CA, area
3.0 thermostat
Thanks, finally got it cleaned well. The problem was mainly because I couldn't even see to do anything.
Went to NAPA for new thermostat, it wasn't right, had to go to dealer for one that went in & would turn clockwise in the housing to hold in place. Then got one housing bolt cross-threaded when I couldn't get on it straight to tighten.
Absolutely the toughest thermostat R&R I've ever had to do.
Ray Mac.
Went to NAPA for new thermostat, it wasn't right, had to go to dealer for one that went in & would turn clockwise in the housing to hold in place. Then got one housing bolt cross-threaded when I couldn't get on it straight to tighten.
Absolutely the toughest thermostat R&R I've ever had to do.
Ray Mac.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
to really see the whole work area you got to remove the Hoses, Belt, Tensioner, and unplug a few wires.
It's seems this is the norm for the newer cars and trucks. They cover the front with all kinds of stuff.
It's seems this is the norm for the newer cars and trucks. They cover the front with all kinds of stuff.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 34
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From: Portage la Prairie, Mb.
My thermo is acting up. Sometimes the temp guage goes to the 3/4-7/8 mark, then swings back down. Makes me hold my breath every once in a while. Oh well, Manitoba winter commin. Better to have her run a little hot in the interest of NOT freezing our tails off.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA, area
3.0 thermostat
Wettone, I recently had that problem on my Cavalier & it turned out to be a leaking heater core. Temp. stayed level when I fixed that. But do the thermostat first!
Back to the thermostat on my 3.0, most of my time was taken up trying to clean out the system. Previous owner did little maintenance and coolant was rusty. I took off the lower radiator hose to help drain, but it took numerous fillings & drainings, running it to warm up in between, etc. to begin to start to come out clear. Yesterday AM I had to make the trip I started on Tuesday, so did the final topping off with Prestone & Stop Leak (just in case) and took off.
I'm happy to say my 200 mile trip went well. 65 mph for about 60 miles of that on freeway, most of the rest of the time 60-65 on back roads, and a few miles of 2nd & 3rd gear work climbing to 2000' elevation. Got 23 mpg, which I reckon is just under 29 per imperial gallon.
Ray Mac.
Back to the thermostat on my 3.0, most of my time was taken up trying to clean out the system. Previous owner did little maintenance and coolant was rusty. I took off the lower radiator hose to help drain, but it took numerous fillings & drainings, running it to warm up in between, etc. to begin to start to come out clear. Yesterday AM I had to make the trip I started on Tuesday, so did the final topping off with Prestone & Stop Leak (just in case) and took off.
I'm happy to say my 200 mile trip went well. 65 mph for about 60 miles of that on freeway, most of the rest of the time 60-65 on back roads, and a few miles of 2nd & 3rd gear work climbing to 2000' elevation. Got 23 mpg, which I reckon is just under 29 per imperial gallon.
Ray Mac.
