somick Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 It takes a lot of time to warm up the car. The needle goes almost into the red zone and then drops down to about the middle of the gauge. So I figured out that it is time to replace a thermostat. 154,000 miles is enough for the original one. Haynes manual warns that aluminum radiators require "multi-stage" thermostat. Do you guys know what that means? Question 2: Haynes recomended temperature ratings:188 to 193 degrees F. Stores carry 160, 180, 192, 195. Since I live in San Diego, CA, should I go by the lower temperature? Thank you, Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robaru Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I don't know what a multi stage thermostat is. Perhaps it just means the higher the temp, the bigger the opening gets. I always throw mine in a pot of water on the stove and watch it open as the water begins to boil. Also when you add new radiator fluid, you can park your car heading up a slight incline and while running keep adding fluid to it until the bubbling goes away and its full. then make sure the overflow is filled to the line and your usually good to go. 180-190 degree would be a good temp thermostat for where you live I would think. Make sure your radiator is in good shape as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somick Posted February 18, 2006 Author Share Posted February 18, 2006 Thank you, robaru! That what I have done couple of days ago. Parked it on the slope. I was very tired. Closed the radiator cap one click. When it got warm I decided to see how much collant I have got in it. Got sprayed with hot antifreez. Fortunatelly for me most of it went into the engine bay. We have to be carefull! Thanks again, Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habib99 Posted February 19, 2006 Share Posted February 19, 2006 Thank you, robaru!That what I have done couple of days ago. Parked it on the slope. I was very tired. Closed the radiator cap one click. When it got warm I decided to see how much collant I have got in it. Got sprayed with hot antifreez. Fortunatelly for me most of it went into the engine bay. We have to be carefull! Thanks again, Sam made the same mistake myself -funny how you can do something silly without thinking it through when you're tired. Testing my thermostat today, opens up nicely when hot but doesnt close fully when cold -there's a 2-3mm gap and that's where it stops - is this normal or should it close all the way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted February 19, 2006 Share Posted February 19, 2006 If you replace the thermostat I would recommend you get a OEM one instead of a general replacement. Some people have had trouble with other new, none OEM t-stats. Many years ago I opened up a radiator cap on a overheated system. I got a burn on the chest and hand from it. I have never been burned again from a hot radiator. You just never touch a hot system. I did get a more serious burn from my house hot water baseboard heater. I was very tired from working on it most of the night and into the early morning. I removed a plug I had put in the pipe earlier while the system was hot. Another lesson learned the hard way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 19, 2006 Share Posted February 19, 2006 Yes - OEM only for t-stat's on Subaru's. Here's why: OEM on the right, crap aftermarket on the left: GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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