[V8] thermostats ad nauseum

[Ed Kellock]

To change just the thermostat:
drain coolant (i used a clean bucket because new coolant was just added
yesterday.  I used a short length of hose on the rad drain fitting to direct
it to the bucket)
remove ISV
unplug TPS and move TPS and ISV plugs out of the way
remove both engine ends of top rad hose
remove hose on t-stat housing
remove t-stat housing (2 torx screws)

I have a 1/4 inch drive wrench set including torx drivers and I had just
enough room to do this comfortably.


On 7/31/06, Mike Arman <Armanmik at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> 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!
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