2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Where The Hell Is My Thermostat!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 18, 2005 | 10:31 PM
  #1  
jono20's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Vernon, BC
Where The Hell Is My Thermostat!!

gahhh I went to replace my stat and its NOT THERE! I dont know what the guy before me did, but there is no thermostat! what do I do now!? why isnt it there!?

edit: 1990 GX by the way
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2005 | 10:35 PM
  #2  
1RX7DRIVER's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Cary, NC
just go buy one from mazda and put it in there
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2005 | 10:36 PM
  #3  
MPLSrx7's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis
do you mean you cant find where it goes or its missing from the housing? if its missing you can just go to the dealership and get one and it comes with the gasket.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2005 | 10:38 PM
  #4  
jono20's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Vernon, BC
I have a new one. Im jsut wondering how the hell the car is operating without one (well really it isnt, its overheating) but isnt it sort of a vital part?
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2005 | 10:42 PM
  #5  
Stanello's Avatar
backslash beanbagrace
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
If it's overheating... you've probably got bigger problems to worry about. You can run a car without a thermostat or a "cored" thermostat, (most don't reccomend it). It's been covered before. Search a bit and you should get all the info you want.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 12:09 AM
  #6  
jono20's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Vernon, BC
what triggers the cooling fan...

to kick into its super loud fast speed? is it the clitch on the fan. or an electric signal
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 12:12 AM
  #7  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally Posted by jono20
I have a new one. Im jsut wondering how the hell the car is operating without one (well really it isnt, its overheating) but isnt it sort of a vital part?
Yep... without one, you will not have proper cooling or warming.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 12:14 AM
  #8  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally Posted by jono20
to kick into its super loud fast speed? is it the clitch on the fan. or an electric signal
Stock fan??? The stock fan is a viscouse clutch fan, and is controlled only by the amount of heat coming through the radiator. There is no electrical connection.

Now some models have a supplimental electric fan... do you mean that???
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 01:07 AM
  #9  
jono20's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Vernon, BC
no. it is the stock 90 fan.

so.. if I dont ever hear the fan getting really loud like it used to, and does in every other seven ive been in... the clutch in the fan is gone? im positive theres enough heat coming through the rad :P
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 01:16 AM
  #10  
DC350's Avatar
Rotor Head
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia
The fan could be worn out! It does happen!
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 06:33 AM
  #11  
jono20's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Vernon, BC
ok im switching over the fan from my crashed s4 to my s5. jopefully that helps...
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 06:38 AM
  #12  
BOOSTED Vert
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,307
Likes: 0
From: Miami
Originally Posted by jono20
ok im switching over the fan from my crashed s4 to my s5. jopefully that helps...
good luck.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 06:41 AM
  #13  
SureShot's Avatar
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 2
From: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
S4 - S5 fans have a different flange.

The thermostat has a spring loaded disc that sits about a inch below the main valve.
It covers a bypass port down in the pump housing.
If that port is open, about 1/3 of the coolant flow bypasses the radiator.

Both the S4 & S5 fan clutch freewheel when cold.
After 100,000 miles the bearing seals inside wear, and the bearing lube starts to weaken the clutch fluid's grip.
The s4 clutch increases it's bite gradually with temperature rise.
The s5 clutch is more on-off. (It just coasts until is gets warm)
Once they are warm, the fan speed goes up with engine speed to about 4000 RPM.
As the engine revs higher the fan stays at ~4K.
If your warmed up fan only revs up to < 2500 RPM, it's worn out.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 09:36 AM
  #14  
jono20's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Vernon, BC
Originally Posted by SureShot
S4 - S5 fans have a different flange.

The thermostat has a spring loaded disc that sits about a inch below the main valve.
It covers a bypass port down in the pump housing.
If that port is open, about 1/3 of the coolant flow bypasses the radiator.

Both the S4 & S5 fan clutch freewheel when cold.
After 100,000 miles the bearing seals inside wear, and the bearing lube starts to weaken the clutch fluid's grip.
The s4 clutch increases it's bite gradually with temperature rise.
The s5 clutch is more on-off. (It just coasts until is gets warm)
Once they are warm, the fan speed goes up with engine speed to about 4000 RPM.
As the engine revs higher the fan stays at ~4K.
If your warmed up fan only revs up to < 2500 RPM, it's worn out.
so am I able to transfer the s4 to the s5 until I can get an s5 replacement?
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 11:34 AM
  #15  
SureShot's Avatar
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 2
From: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
The S5 water pump hub is different, so the S4 fan clutch won't fit.

For a temporary fix, try bending the heat sensing bi-metal strip on the front of the clutch outward.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 12:12 PM
  #16  
RXgirl7's Avatar
IT LIVES!!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan Beach, CA
make sure you get the correct thermostat(oem 180)the person who had my car before me put in a 210~ish one, so the car runs kinda hot...gonna replace that one reeeeaaaal soon...
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2005 | 08:17 PM
  #17  
jono20's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Vernon, BC
what if I put an s4 water pump onto my s5. can I use the s4 fan then?
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2005 | 12:36 AM
  #18  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally Posted by jono20
what if I put an s4 water pump onto my s5. can I use the s4 fan then?
You would need a S4 housing and water pump to use a S4 fan
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2005 | 12:38 AM
  #19  
BOOSTED Vert
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,307
Likes: 0
From: Miami
Originally Posted by Icemark
You would need a S4 housing and water pump to use a S4 fan

It will still work, but you wont be able to use like 1 or 2 bolts.. As long as he seals it good then he wont have anything to worry about.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2005 | 12:42 AM
  #20  
NZConvertible's Avatar
I'm a boost creep...
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,608
Likes: 8
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Originally Posted by jono20
gahhh I went to replace my stat and its NOT THERE! I dont know what the guy before me did, but there is no thermostat! what do I do now!?
Um, put the new one in?

what triggers the cooling fan to kick into its super loud fast speed?
There's no such thing. Fan speed is dependant on engine speed and how much the clutch is engaged. Clutch engagement is determined by the temp of the air passing over it.

so.. if I dont ever hear the fan getting really loud like it used to, and does in every other seven ive been in... the clutch in the fan is gone?
Fan clutch diagnosis is pretty easy. If the engine overheats under load or at speed, but not at idle, the fan clutch is fine. If the engine overheats at idle, but not under load or at speed, the fan clutch is fine.

So when are you overheating?

Last edited by NZConvertible; Aug 20, 2005 at 12:44 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2005 | 12:49 AM
  #21  
BOOSTED Vert
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,307
Likes: 0
From: Miami
Originally Posted by NZConvertible
Um, put the new one in?

There's no such thing. Fan speed is dependant on engine speed and how much the clutch is engaged. Clutch engagement is determined by the temp of the air passing over it.

Fan clutch diagnosis is pretty easy. If the engine overheats under load or at speed, but not at idle, the fan clutch is fine. If the engine overheats at idle, but not under load or at speed, the fan clutch is fine.

So when are you overheating?
ok, if you are in traffic and/or stop n go traffic and your ride overheats, then its probably the fan. If you are driving and it has on/off heating issues, then it could either be the fan or TS.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2005 | 01:23 AM
  #22  
NZConvertible's Avatar
I'm a boost creep...
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,608
Likes: 8
From: Auckland, New Zealand
No, the fan is not required beyond 20-30mph because there's enough airflow provided by the car's forward motion. If you oveheat going faster than that it's not the fan.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2005 | 02:14 AM
  #23  
iceblue's Avatar
Passing life by
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 2
From: Scotland, USA
Originally Posted by RXgirl7
make sure you get the correct thermostat(oem 180)the person who had my car before me put in a 210~ish one, so the car runs kinda hot...gonna replace that one reeeeaaaal soon...
Corect me if im wrong guys but isn't the OEM T-Stat 193F and full open at 210?
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2005 | 04:02 AM
  #24  
KompressorLOgic's Avatar
I
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 12
From: Spanaway, WA
Originally Posted by Icemark
You would need a S4 housing and water pump to use a S4 fan
as a note the s4 water pump housing does NOT fit on the s5 motor, the lower radiator hose outlet, hits the electronic OMP, as i just found out the hard way.....
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2005 | 10:30 AM
  #25  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally Posted by kompressorlogic
as a note the s4 water pump housing does NOT fit on the s5 motor, the lower radiator hose outlet, hits the electronic OMP, as i just found out the hard way.....
Yeah, I forgot about that
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:11 AM.