This is driving me nuts.....

First I have a 98 RS with 134k and it started to get a little hotter than normal (the tick past 195). So, I replaced the termostat with the OEM one and now it does get past the first tick mark before 195. When I come to a stop it'll climb to 195 and stay there until I'm moving again and it'll drop.

I check the fluid level and it was good and no leaks so, I pulled the stat back out and check it to see if it was stuck open. Of course, it wasn't and once I applied heat from a heat gun it opened. So, I put everything back together, topped off all fluids, replaced the reservoir cap and ran it again. Same thing happened, sitting there it gets to 195 and once moving it drops.

Is there a way to bleed all the air out of the system? I notice there is a bleeder valve under the airbox tube.

Just for giggles I did check the temp with a digital tester and the tube before the housing was 175 and right after the thermostat housing. The housing itself was at 275 so I thought maybe the exhaust is heating it up and keeping the stat open.

So, last night I took some turbo heat shielding and wrapped the thermostat housing and the part of the exhaust manifold that is right next to. Thinking this would keep the heat down on the housing. But, of course, it didn't change a thing.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

there is nothing wrong with your car running 195.these cars are designed to run up to 210 before the fan goes on.

I wish it would run at 195. The needle on the gauge sit just before the very first tick mark.

I hooked my scanner to it last night to watch the temp and drove it around for 30 minutes. The temp stayed between 135-140 while driving and when I parked it the temp went to 174. It stayed right at 174-176 so I reved it and got it to 180. When the stat openned the coolant level didn't raise or lower too much just circulated what was in there.

After reading some posts, I came across a lot of different things.

One guy said he had a head gasket leak that wasn't allowing the system to build pressure. But, if the gasket was bad wouldn't you have coolant in the oil? My oil level is good and not all milky and no moisture coming out the tailpipe.

Another post I came across said the thermostat might be in the wrong spot. WTF? My is located right where the upper hose meets the housing.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/1724872200.JPG[/URL]
In the picture it's behind the black housing with the spring part of the thermostat facing the block. The post I came across same his had a sticker stating it was moved to right behind the water pump. Which doesn't make any sense to me.:runaround::banghead:

Sorry I stole the picture from the belt replacement blog.....but it's a great pic.

[URL="http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/1724872200.JPG";] (http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/1724872200.JPG)

Well, last night I drove the leftside up my car ramp so the reservoir was the highest point possible. I let the car run for about 45 minutes and I watched it bubble and boil and kept it topped off as much as I could.

Now, this morning the car ran it's normal one tick for about 15 minutes into my commute (highway) and it went up to about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way to 195. About right for a 180 stat, so I believe I'm close to getting all the air from the system.

When i get home I'll repeat the process I did last night and see if that helps.

This is where the needle sits and this is after about 30 minutes of Interstate. Once I got off the needle went between the tick and 195.




http://www.gmscf.com/picture.php?albumid=138&pictureid=1083

Well, last night I drove the leftside up my car ramp so the reservoir was the highest point possible. I let the car run for about 45 minutes and I watched it bubble and boil and kept it topped off as much as I could.

Now, this morning the car ran it's normal one tick for about 15 minutes into my commute (highway) and it went up to about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way to 195. About right for a 180 stat, so I believe I'm close to getting all the air from the system.

When i get home I'll repeat the process I did last night and see if that helps.

Well there you've found a convenient way to bleed the cooling system, very timely this time of year with many DIYs changing their A/freeze. I suggest you start a new thread called "Bleed Your Cooling System" and just paste most of your latest post. Might make it into the Stickies, hoo nose? :wink:

Soon as I can work the SNAFU's out of it. That might be an idea.