"Al" <acunniff@advancedbionutrition.com> wrote in message
news:1165545625.508880.181490@16g2000cwy.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Two symptoms make me wonder whether my 1994 Corolla has a
> faulty / sticky thermostat.
> First, in cold weather, when I ride at highway speed as the car is
> warming up, it seems to take a long time before the car kicks
> into its highest gear. I have an automatic, but in cold weather it
> doesn't seem to transition smoothly and quickly into its top gear.
>
> Then the other day in the cold weather, the heater just didn't
> seem to be blowing out air that was as hot as it should be.
>
> Sometimes the needle on the dashboard thermostat stays
> smack on Cold, and sometimes it moves a slight bit above it.
>
> Do these symptoms point to a faulty thermostat?[/color]
Yes, or a cooling fan that is stuck in the on position. When the engine is
cold, make sure the electric cooling fan is not running.[color=blue]
>
> If so...are there special things to be aware of when replacing
> it? I have put one or two in over the years in other cars, but
> I've never drained the antifreeze, etc. I've just put the new
> thermostat in and topped up the antifreeze. Thanks in advance
> for any advice.
>[/color]
When you remove the old thermostat, note the orientation of the spring and
the jiggle valve, which looks like a piece of twisted sheet metal stuck into
a small hole in the flange so that the replacement one goes back the same
way. Clean the thermostat housing and mounting surface thoroughly, and use
a new gasket. While you're at it, check the condition of the upper and
lower radiator hose and heater hoses.
If the coolant is more than 2 years old, replace it with the correct
concentration of new coolant.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
