[V8] thermostats ad nauseum

[Mike Arman]

I'm watching this thread with great interest. Ever since I did the 
timing belt and installed a new thermostat in August of last year, my 90 
V8 has been running *decidedly* on the warm side - sits at 100 or so, 
with the old thermostat it usually ran about 75 to 80 (I think), perhaps 
more, but not at 100 or so on a regular basis, or even close to it.


The thermostat I got came from an impeccable and absolutely reliable 
source, so until this thread, I was saying it can't be the thermostat, 
its new, and you-know-who wouldn't be selling junk anyway. 
Unfortunately, I discarded the old thermostat so I can't just swap it 
back in to try it.


Also, I think I've found the nagging oil leak which got me to change the 
oil cooler hoses and the oil pressure sender - turns out it is the rear 
oil pressure sensor (which EKTA assures me is blue, mine is brown), and 
the oil has been dripping downward and leading me astray quite well. 
I'll know for sure tomorrow when the $8.00 Beck/Arnley replacement 
arrives and I install it - one small consolation is this can be actually 
accessed fairly easily from the TOP of the car by removing the right 
side air inlet and the right side header heat shield. I hate crawling 
under cars . . .


Point of information on the oil pressure sender (the fat one that lists 
for $200). It has a 27mm hex, but there is little room to work and less 
room to swing a wrench. As it turns out, I used to play with older BMW 
motorcycles (pre-1969) and there is a multi-purpose hook wrench in the 
tool kit which is 27mm on one end, and is short enough to get in there 
and tighten the sender perfectly! You have to leave off the stamped, 
notched plate which is normally used to r&r the sender - I made a tool 
out of a length of exhaust pipe, but never tried to use it - the BMW 
wrench fit perfectly.


So I guess I'll have two answers to look forward to. 1) How do I 
determine a good thermostat? and 2) Can I change the thermostat without 
pulling the timing belt (how much trouble is it?)

Best Regards,

Mike Arman
90 V8Q

More than just a car - an Adventure!