Hi there

I have a 1.9D felicia, and for a while now it's been running really cool, around 70 degrees. I decided to change the thermostat in an attempt to resolve this. I bought new coolant and a new thermostat, and after draining and flushing the system I fitted both with only a few setbacks.

However i took it out for a quick test drive and the temp flew up to around 110 in a short 5 minute drive and after a longer drive back most of the coolant had gone from the expansion tank. wondered if anyone else had experienced anything like this?

Should I have put sealant on the pipes I disconnected? Could the thermostat be in wrong?

Many thanks

Will

Hi there

I have a 1.9D felicia, and for a while now it's been running really cool, around 70 degrees. I decided to change the thermostat in an attempt to resolve this. I bought new coolant and a new thermostat, and after draining and flushing the system I fitted both with only a few setbacks.

However i took it out for a quick test drive and the temp flew up to around 110 in a short 5 minute drive and after a longer drive back most of the coolant had gone from the expansion tank. wondered if anyone else had experienced anything like this?

Should I have put sealant on the pipes I disconnected? Could the thermostat be in wrong?

Many thanks

Will

did you take note of how much coolant you put back? you may have had an airlock and not put enough in.

or thermostat may be faulty and not opening,- check by putting it into pan of hot water and slowly bring it to boil.

not sure if its possible to fit thermostat back to front, someone will no doubt be along shortly to comment further

Hi Tibsy

an air lock did cross my mind, how do you test for that? I tested the old thermostat out of interest and it still works, but i don't think fan works, is it possible to test with out buying new parts for the fan?

Will

1) Airlock - Be very careful doing this, but you're looking for a top hose that remains squashy once the engine is hot. You might want to get hold of an oven mitt for this, but if SWMBO catches you with her good one, I'm not responsible!

2) Fan comes in 3 parts for testing purposes:-

i) Check the fuse.

ii) Run a direct wire from the battery positive to the motor positive. Be careful to not get this wire into the blade arc. The fan should run.

iii) The fan has its own thermoswitch on the radiator, and this may have failed.

iv) There may be a fan wiring failure.

right, I've taken out the new thermostat just to check it works and it's fine, so i'm currently refilling the coolant (anyone know a way of speeding this up?). I bypassed the cooling fan switch unit and the fan fired up straight away. So I pretty certain the switch unit has gone, does anyone know which one I need, had a look on jorily but none seem to be the right part, closest is this http://www.jorily.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=131_4_59&products_id=511 but I don't have aircon, does that matter, looks similar. EDIT: at closer inspection it is the right part

Thanks

Will

Edited 6 July, 201115 yr by Wild88

I've tried to refill the coolant, but I can't get as much in as there was before, does this mean there is an air lock? I drove to pick up the part and the temp was all over the shot, when stuck in traffic it sat around 80-85 deg. but when the engine was laboured especially when climbing the temp shot up. More worrying though, when I drained the coolant to fit the new fan switch the coolant looked kind of shimmery, is this normal or is a result of head gasket problems? Does anyone know an easyish way to bleed the coolant system?

Thanks

Will

To release the airlock I would run engine at idle with the cap off to the expansion tank and top up when necessary. Make sure the heater is on too! I wouldn't keep running it with the temperature up at 110 if you can help it! :wonder: