This morning I opened the hood and there was coolant around the thermostat housing. The bolts are tight and the hose clamp is tight. So I drove it around and got it hot. I opened the hood, no coolant around the thermostat housing. The hose to the stat was so tight that I couldn't squeeze it, but it was very hot so I would think the stat would be opened at that time. I relieved the pressure by way of the radiator cap and coolant rushed into the reservoir. The car is not overheating, so it doesn't sound like the stat is staying closed. So either the stat IS staying closed or the radiator cap is malfunctioning, not allowing the coolant to go back into the reservoir. It's just a 12lb cap and new so it shouldn't be too high pressure. Thanks.

 

to see if the stat is opening take it out and put it in a pot of water and boil it,, you will see it open..

 

run around with the heater on full blast....your temp sensor should stand still at the same temp. ur thermostat is

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"When something breaks, it gives me an excuse to replace it with a performace part!"
1988 GTA
TES headers
Flowmaster exaust
TB airfoil
165 Tstat
K+N's
JET chip
kenwood head unit, xplod amp, poineer 3 ways
weird rattling noises
dying 350
crappy paint
700R4 on its last leg
hood that won't open

 

With a cold motor, remove the radiator cap and start the car. Stand in front of the car carefully observing the fluid surface visible inside the open radiator. With a cold engine and a closed thermostat, the fluid should be pretty much motionless, but when the thermostat opens up you will begin to see turbulence on the fluid surface as it begins to move through the cooling system.

 

Just replace it with a good quality stat and you will know it's working. It's a cheap part that is very important. I wouldn't chance a questionable thermostat.

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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro