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jim · Guest

Hello all

my thermostat hasn't worked for ages and living in aust it may suit the car (probably use more petrol to heat the car), however with winter around the corner I need my a/c- heater to work. Is there a way to turn the inside heater on with out fixing the thermostat.

Ben_nz · Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 7:04 am Post subject:

If your car isn't getting up to proper operating temperature (cos the thermostat is busted) then your heater won't put out very warm air.

Someone correct me everywhere I'm wrong:
Basically the thermostat works by stopping coolant from flowing through the engine and out to the radiator until the engine is warm enough. Once the car is properly warmed up the thermostat opens, allowing coolant to pass through the radiator and get cooled down (removing excess heat from the engine in the process).
Thermostats are designed to stick open when they fail, because sticking open is better than sticking closed (and leading to overheating). If your thermostat is stuck open, your car's engine won't be able to reach and maintain its proper operating temperature, because coolant is continually cycling through the engine and radiator and keeping the motor too cold.
Since your heater works by drawing air past a mini radiator which contains this same coolant,
if your thermostat is stuck open,
the coolant in your cooling system won't be able to reach normal temperature

and your heater won't give you very hot air.
There's no way to have hot air without hot engine coolant, unless maybe your heater is on fire! Wink

But
more importantly than that,
with a broken thermostat,
your car may use more petrol, and your engine may wear out faster. It's designed to work at the temperature it sits at when the thermostat's not broken, that's why you have a thermostat in the first place Exclamation

alfistjen · Alfasud Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 59 Location: Belgium

A new thermostat costs about 18€ when it's the closed type, only about 5€ when it's the replaceable one. And it's a piece of cake to put it in. And believe me, you'll think you're in heaven when your engine is warm in 10min and hot air is comming to you when weather sucks! Just get it fixed as fast as possible, you're car will be as happy as you I think.

Regards!

Paul D.

John Hansen · Posted: Thu May 13, 2004 11:14 am Post subject: Thermostat

Jim,
Where abouts in Australia are you? I've pulled a thermostat out of my '87 1.7 and replaced it a while back when I had overheating problems (I'm in QLD) that turned out to be rectified by having a radiator place clean out the radiator. You're welcome to the old thermostat (although I won't guarantee it!) and they're quite easy to install - it the one piece job.
_________________
John H
'87 Alfa 33 QV

jim · Guest

john

i'm very "ignoramas" when it comes to car mechanics. Can you tell me step by step as in how to replace a thermostat and which one to buy?
Ta

Eddie W · Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 10:19 am Post subject:

Hi Ben, couldn't have said it better myself
Regards Eddie
_________________
A LITTLE FURTHER A LITTLE FASTER

garciaae · Alfasud Joined: 01 May 2003 Posts: 25

Before I had my car repared it was running cooler (which is better here in Seville 45C in summer) but after reading this post I've seen this is how it must be. Now it rises 90 and beyond in a few minutes and the fan blows even on the road.

I suppose i should be happier now but i liked to have the car cooler.
Any suggestions?

Marcin · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 7:01 am Post subject:

Suggestions:

1. Fit A/C
2. Move to Scandinavia\Scotland\Siberia etc.

Choose one of the above but NOT both.
Laughing

Marcin

gritsop · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 9:39 am Post subject:

Hi,

There SHOULD a new thermostat be fitted because the engine will not run properly if not running at 82C.

It is like when humans have their body temperature other than 36.6C! You simply feel awful Sad

Regards,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

Ben_nz · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 11:01 am Post subject:

John Hansen · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject: Radiator Clean Out

Hi Ben,
Suggest you take out the radiator and get it "cored" by a radiator place. Cost in my case was about AUS$30, but well worth it. My experience with the cleaners is that they don't aways work as well as they should.
_________________
John H
'87 Alfa 33 QV

gritsop · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 4:40 pm Post subject:

Hi,

I had used radiator cleaner (a small bottle of 250ml) when I replaced all hoses a year ago.

I'd say that when I was watching the water draining and especially the final water coming off the engine I saw green pieces of the old coolant.

I then flushed the system with the garden hose where I did not see any dirt coming out.

However after three months (September) when I replaced the radiator the coolant came off the engine at a very dark green color. I then again flushed it with the garden hose and filled 'er up with new coolant.

Now 9 months later the coolant has a light green tone like the heart of a lettuce (if this is helpful Laughing

)

Now my intenttion is to drain again the cooling system and clean the heater along with a general inspection of it - So I think the most wise practise is to replace coolant of good quality once a year , and flushing the system thorougly.

Regards,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

box_me2 · Guest

Whats the best bran of coolant? how much should it cost ($aus)
I would love to clean out my radiator... pics...? tips...? instruction...?
cheers

John Hansen · Posted: Tue May 18, 2004 10:37 am Post subject: Coolant

I use Tectalloy (spelling may be a bit crook) antifreeze as this provides protection if you go to the snow as well as providing rust inhibition for the cooling system. I think about a litre or two should do the trick. Cost (from memory) is about $8 per litre.
_________________
John H
'87 Alfa 33 QV

John Hansen · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 12:13 pm Post subject: Thermostat Location

Hi Jim,

Apologies for not getting back to you sooner. The thermostat is located on the driver's side of the car (right hand drive version). It's a one piece housingt and is secured by an allen key type bolt (8mm I think). Replacement is reasonably simple as you buy a replacement unit, undo a couple of hoses (after draining the coolant), unbolt the existing unit and bolt in the replacement.

I've scanned a page of the Alfa Manual which shows the location of the thermostat, but don't seem to have the technology to attach it to this meassage. Can send it to your e-mail address if you're interested.
_________________
John H
'87 Alfa 33 QV

garciaae · Alfasud Joined: 01 May 2003 Posts: 25

I think this is the only way to get my car cool as Marcin said.
By the way, my car has been fitted with a new thermostat and new hoses, coolant and also the radiator has been refurbished.
When cool the car runs quite well but when it's hot, it runs badly at low revs.
Now I know thans to Gritsop that 33's proper temperature operation is 82C. I'll try to make it understand to my mechanic.
Thanks.