Re: Re: Coolant Problem/Thermostat location? '92 100

[Frank Martin <FMartin@ithaca.edu>]

> Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 08:56:53 -0400
> From: "Enis, Robert O" <roenis@tva.gov>
> Subject: Re: Coolant Problem/Thermostat location? '92 100

edited... 

>In January I had the
> same problem with my 89 200 tq.  Knew I was losing small amounts of coolant
> (smell) and temp. readings were somewhat higher than normal...  

>Turns out to be the thermostat. 

Robert,

Thanks for sharing the final fix. This is very timely for me, as my
200TQ _just_ last Friday began running hot. Got the overheat warning on
the display. When I got home, I let it sit for a while to see if the
cooling fan was coming on. It wasn't, so I think, huh, may be the fuse
or the relay or the temp. sensor in the radiator is not making the fan
come on. By then the overflow tank erupts. Later I refill that, and
think, well I can try a short highway trip, as the airflow should allow
enough cooling of the radiator, but still it overheats. So, last night
I'm starting to suspect the thermostat. I never actually felt the
radiator to see how hot _it_ was.

> BTW, I saw an ad recently in a parts store for a thermostat that 'fails
> open' instead of 'closed'; but I don't remember the brand name.  

So, the point I'm building towards is that I didn't suspect the
thermostat at first because, and it's been a while since I've had one
fail (this in other auto makes) I've never had a thermostat fail that
_didn't_ fail in the open mode. Why on earth would anyone design it in
any other way???!!! It fails open and you drive around cold, as far as
you need. It fails closed, you or your sig. other are potentially
stranded!

Frank M. 
Odessa, NY, USA
1990 200TQ