givemethebighammer
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| posted on 13/12/04 at 11:03 PM |
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thermostat blanking plate
After starting my zetec this evening and having a problem with the thermostat., I did a little research to find a replacement (using raceline water
rail). The existing thermostat is a standard xflow one. people have suggested that removing the thermostat and replacing it with a blanking plate with
a 1/2 inch hole drilled in it, is a better solution for this type of application (little winter driving, not daily driver etc).
Question is can you buy such a plate ?, or do you simply cut one out of aluminium, steel brass ?
thanks
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britishtrident
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| posted on 13/12/04 at 11:30 PM |
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Removing the thermostat is bad news not only is it really bad for the engine during warm up but it will cost power due to increased heat loss to the
cylinder walls.
I would guess the problem is that when the thermostat is closed water is not circulating are around the thermostats wax capsule. On a production car
the by-pass hose and/or heater plumbing normally allow some water circulation from the head and block back to the water pump inlet before the
thermostat opens.
Assuming you can't re-plumb to fit a bypass hose fit a cooler thermostat (77 degree) also try drilling a couple of 1/8 holes in the thermostat
valve plate this will allow enough water circulation to open the thermostat..
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britishtrident
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| posted on 13/12/04 at 11:31 PM |
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Removing the thermostat is bad news not only is it really bad for the engine during warm up but it will cost power due to increased heat loss to the
cylinder walls.
I would guess the problem is that when the thermostat is closed water is not circulating are around the thermostats wax capsule. On a production car
the by-pass hose and/or heater plumbing normally allow some water circulation from the head and block back to the water pump inlet before the
thermostat opens.
Assuming you can't re-plumb to fit a bypass hose fit a cooler thermostat (77 degree) also try drilling a couple of 1/8 holes in the thermostat
valve plate this will allow enough water circulation to open the thermostat..
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givemethebighammer
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| posted on 13/12/04 at 11:40 PM |
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thanks anyone know the part number for a xflow 75 / 77 degree thermostat ?.
QH only list 92 degrees (MTO107) and 88 degrees (MTO102).
also correct me 1/8 inch = about 3mm right ?
thanks
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stevebubs
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| posted on 13/12/04 at 11:46 PM |
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I'll try and dig it out. Think it's listed for a Marina or similar
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Dusty
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| posted on 14/12/04 at 12:03 AM |
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Zetecs don't like to run cool. The thermostat needs some flow of heated water over the capsule to open. Check there is flow to the capsule side
of the stat and back across the front of the engine to the bottom hose bypassing the rad. If not just drill the plate as suggested.
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stevebubs
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| posted on 14/12/04 at 12:41 AM |
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For reference, the 75 degree stat is a Quinton Hazel Part - QTH101
Don't think many people stock it anymore.
I'd err to there being an airlock or timing problem, TBH. A combination of airlock and poor timing caused me endless hassle at the beginning of
last year (hence knowing what the part number is).
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stevebubs
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| posted on 14/12/04 at 12:44 AM |
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There could also be a blockage either in a pipe or inside the block.
Well worth checking you have good flow in all parts of the system
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stevebubs
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| posted on 14/12/04 at 12:45 AM |
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BTW Camberley Autofactors definitely stock an 82degree part.
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givemethebighammer
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| posted on 14/12/04 at 09:11 PM |
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thanks Steve got a few thermostats today (at £2.50 each inc VAT, thought I would try a couple for best operation)
got:
74 degrees
82 degrees
88 degrees
I'll probably start with the 82 degree one and work from there.
thanks
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