beeton

O.K. Hello.
My son and I purchased an 86. Got it home. Doing all of the fluid changes and also popped in a new t-stat.
Seems to idle hot (1/2 way up) and when in motion, also running 50-60% of gauge.
We found the relay for the electric fan had rusted internally and are putting in a new one (when we decode the wiring diagram) but will this car normally idle at around 50% gauge without the electric fan or may there be another issue?

We put the older t-stat back in and seems a bit better. I am trying to burp the system but may not be getting the right results. Purchased a non-spill funnel from Princess auto (similar to one on the forum) but this version has a plunger that stays in the funnel and can be pulled up or down as needed an also has a tube running within the plunger s there is always some flow. Mind you, no freakin instructions anywhere on or in the box.

Is there something in the burping procedure I am missing?
Will it help if I park ion an incline? Tried to disconnect the BAC water line to see if there was any air in there and soaked my hand with hot fluid so I expect a "no".

Any help would be appreciated as I won't let my son drive a car that seems unsafe or waiting to crap out on the road.

Notes: upper cap (on t-stat housing) is a Stant and has a tiny, tiny drip.
T-stat may not be stock and the previous one was a guardsman with no heat rating stamped on.


Thanks from Beeton, Ontario

satch

iTrader: (1)

You want the factory thermostat and not the aftermarket variety as it makes a difference. Normally it should run 1/3 on the temp gauge. And it's possible the gauge is not accurate.

There should also be a plastic screw at the top edge of the radiator used for burping the system as coolant should flow out when the system is full.

beeton

Thanks. Correction. The "oem" one I purchased was not guardsman but motorad 192f.

The t-stat housing design also only allows the-stat to be installed so the jiggle pin points to the alternator, not the windshield (as per the Haynes manual). So I am wondering if: the motorad is too high for the Fc at 192f (89c) and also if the previous owner had a non-oem fitting one that sat in the housing but not with the right configuration to align the jiggle pin.

The motorad one was longer in design and teh one we found in the car a bit shorter.

satch

iTrader: (1)

I believe the thermostat should open at 180 degrees (f). And speaking of factory I mean the one from Mazda (not sure who actually makes it).