Thermostat replacement

[sidsmith]

as a complete novice I am going to try and replace the thermostat on "mungo". (when we went out recently, he seemed to get rather warm) as far as I know it is a 1000cc engine, so is there anything I should know about fitting the right type. I have read the topics on the message board and everything seems to be straight forward. Your comments would be most welcome.

[bigginger]

Double check the advice on removing the cover, particularly Kate's advice on using toilet cleaner/limescale remover to free it. They're absolute swines to get off

[Cam]

as far as I know it is a 1000cc engine, so is there anything I should know about fitting the right type.

Well, if it's a 1000 model then the engine will either be 948cc or 1098cc. The thermostat housings (and gaskets) are interchangeable.

[bmcecosse]

But it's not often a 'stat sticks shut causing overheating. They usually fail open - causing over-cooling - so just check this really is the problem before you barge in there.

[iddy]

Just a word of caution.
This is exactly the first job I attempted on my 1000, and I made a right pigs ear of it.
In my ignorance I did the nuts up too tight when replacing the cover and a stud snapped in the head, to make things worse I tried to extract the broken stud with an easyout which then cracked the head across the corner. I was lucky enough to be able to take it to work where the machine shop brazed the crack and skimmed the head etc. (took a lot of good humoured flack off the guys in work).

The plus points were that I managed to remove and replace the head myself thanks to the help I recieved on this very board, and I bought myself a torque wrench!!

Hopefully over time I will get a "feel" for tightening my nuts

Idris.

[bigginger]

Some time around the billionth one you do, I've heard. Can't wait

[rayofleamington]

But it's not often a 'stat sticks shut causing overheating. They usually fail open - causing over-cooling

It's one of the most common failure modes. It is most likely caused by loss of the wax within the wax element, and only needs a small problem with the element seal.

[bmcecosse]

Never ever had it happen - but have had them fail open. We've discussed this before.
I'm just making the point that it may NOT be the stat that's causing the problem. If the radiator header stays cold - then yes the stat could be stuck shut - if the rad gets hot then need to look for another cause.