Changing the thermostat ?

caveman_si · Post by **caveman_si** » 20 Jul 2006, 14:44

How often do you change the thermostat?? assuming it not broke

I just ask as im doing a coolant change and flush in the next few day and wonder whether its worth getting a new thermostat at the same time. Some preventative maintnance. The current thermostat was changed 2 yrs ago when i did the last coolant change and has been working fine. so i dont have to change it, but just wondering if i should.

cheers si

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 20 Jul 2006, 16:53

My bet that most cars never get the thermostat replaced during their useful life.
They are mechanical components that wear - though slowly.
After 10 years most thermostats will no longer close fully - then causing a longer warm up period for the engine - i.e. its slower to get the demister effective during wintertime.

But 2 years should not be a problem. That would be waste unless you have indications of a problem.

Candyman · Post by **Candyman** » 20 Jul 2006, 16:54

I would'nt bother changing it if there is no current problem with your cooling system such as overheating. As they say if it aint broke dont fix it.

caveman_si · Post by **caveman_si** » 20 Jul 2006, 21:41

Cheers guys

Just thought best that i check about replacing it since its coming out anyway. Guess i'll be saving my money and buying an icecream instead.

joshm · Post by **joshm** » 21 Jul 2006, 08:49

I just changed mine (as you may see in another thread, it didn't go so smoothly!). It looks like it had never been changed before, and the car is ~15 years old. The chances are that it was still working ok but I wasn't going to take any risks. Like everyone else says, no point unless there is a cooling problem, especially since it was done 2 years ago.

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 22 Jul 2006, 02:35

When I changed mine, some 2-3 years ago. I also changed the rad thermostat-sender and my Radiator cap as my fans rarely ever came on. They cut in much earlier now..

Maybe you would like to consider doing the same next time you change your thermo. All the parts were cheap and easy to swop over.. I used loads of copper grease on the new ones in case there's a 'next time' ..

dancingdog777 · Post by **dancingdog777** » 27 Aug 2006, 18:53

I've just spent 4 hours trying to change the !?!?!? thermostat on my 205 GRD. Wish I'd known about the need to remove that pesky circlip! A previous owner had used a blue adhesive as well as a gasket, and most of that time was taken trying to scrape the old gasket off! In the end I didn't change the thermostat cos I can't get the circlip off, though it needs doing cos the old one has failed, luckily in the open position. Guess I'll get our local visiting mechanic to do it, though I was trying to save money!

droylsden dave · Post by **droylsden dave** » 28 Aug 2006, 14:27

Ive got a p reg 406 and noticed doing a 45 mile trip at a time,on mway the temp guage is under 80. Around 75. I aint good with cars, but was wondering if this is a little low? But it does go up when around town or stuck in traffic.

Any advice would be appreciated.

dancingdog777 · Post by **dancingdog777** » 28 Aug 2006, 17:30

Provided the needle doesn't go too far towards the red section you've no worries. On a hot day, or when towing, it might go a bit further but if it stays out of the red you need't worry. If you think it's getting a bit too close to the red section put the heater on full with the booster motor on full, because the heater acts like a second radiator.