82seven

Hey guys, I have a problem a couple days ago I belive it was sunday I did a coolant flush on my 82 gs. Monday morning I went to warm my car up I notice that it was taking long to warm up longer then it should be. After warming up it died! I started it up again and it ran. After driving it to school it was fine the whole day. Then this morning it did the same exact thing. Im not exactly a really good mechanic but I try my best to keep my car it good running condition so any help or tips would be very appreciated.

Roundabout

iTrader: (8)

edit: sorry didn't notice that you had a GS... pondering now

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Did you do anything with the thermostat? Long warm up cycles or failing to reach operating temps is and indication that the thermostat may be stuck open.

DublyDurty

This may be a silly question but did you remove and not replace the thermostat?

I say this because "If the engine does not rise to normal operating temperatures quickly, or if it overheats, the thermostat should be removed and checked, or replaced". Haynes, page 54, 7.2.

DD

DublyDurty

Dang, trochoid, you beat me. I was looking for the page reference...

cdrad51

dunno if anybody suggested this yet, but check your thermostat.

82seven

lol Thanks for all the replys! Every since I had the vehicle I notice the temp gauge never went to the middle always a little below. So im sure now the thermostat is the problem im going to change it this weekend any tips? Also what can I do to prevent the new thermostat from staying open?

Nicholas P.

iTrader: (1)

Start up your car and get it running.

Check your coolant hose going to your radiator, it shouldnt be flowing untill after its up to temp.

If its flowing before its warmed up, you need a higher degree thermostat.

-nick-

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Temp gauges on the 7s rarely get to the 1/2 way point, if your's does, watch it closely, once they move past that point they can overheat quickly, which can mean instant death for a rotary. If your gauge ever gets near the top, shut it down immediately and find out why it's hot.

Buy and install a Mazda oem thermostat only. Many of the aftermarket replacement ones do not fit right and will not let the engine run at the needed 180* operating temp. Last winter I drove to Denver with a non-oem one and my engine temp would not get above 150* on the Autometer gauge.

82seven

How much do you think an oem thermostat and gasket would cost me?

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Since you are in Cali, order one fron RB or Mazdatrix. My local dealer, 45 miles away, was charging 25 a couple of years ago, the buttheads didn't even stock them, special order only. I've heard prices as high as 35, which is nuts.

I cannot stress enough the importance of using the oem thermostat. Price is not a factor for this part.

juan0

you can probably get your thermostat at carquest... they sell OEM replacement parts... or like somebody said before... mazdatrix

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

I'm wondering if I might have fallen into the same trap... I'm virtually certain that I have an aftermarket thermostat. I didn't know about the differences back when I did the last one, and I notice that my OIL temp (autometer guage, wired via the RB guage block at the oil filter mount) never gets above 150 or so.

Seems kind of cold for oil temp, if coolant temp is supposed to get to 180, doesn't it?