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        General >> Problems >> thermostat ! I susspect.
        
(Message started by: dan_the_man on Apr 6^th, 2007, 12:14pm)

Title: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by dan_the_man on Apr 6^th, 2007, 12:14pm

The heater blower in my scorpio has recantly only been blowing cold air . I am guessing this could only be the thermostat ... any other ideas are wellcome before I book it in for one fitting, also any ideas on how much it should cost for one fitting (not using main dealer) many thanks. :-/

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by scorpio_man on Apr 6^th, 2007, 12:56pm

hi there

might be a wee bit. see this. (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/replacestat.htm)

also, have you checked for an air lock? or the heater matrix might be blocked.

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by dan_the_man on Apr 6^th, 2007, 1:27pm

thank you for your reply, Is there a simple way to check for an air lock ? The heater does seem to blow weak for a bus of this size .

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by dan_the_man on Apr 6^th, 2007, 1:28pm

ps the temp guage seems to work as normal.

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by scorpio_man on Apr 6^th, 2007, 2:04pm

hi there

sounds more like the matrix is blocked. you need to reverse flush the cooling system after adding something like wynns radiator cleaner. remember to remove the stat first.

hth

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by dan_the_man on Apr 6^th, 2007, 4:46pm

cheers my good man.

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by Snoopy on Apr 6^th, 2007, 5:19pm

Before doing anything do a full reset on it if it has climate control.

Full details are available HERE (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/ccreset.htm)

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by jonnycab on Apr 7^th, 2007, 1:59am

Could this be another case of.... "new heater matrix needed" ? .....there seems to be alot of owners who have been experiencing this problem over the last few months ;)

It's a possibility that Scorps are just getting too old & their original matrix's are starting to come to the end of their lifespan :-/

Maybe it's due to limescale build up in the veins (restricting it) or it's just plain gunged up & stopping the coolant flow....

Or maybe the position of the the matrix in regards to the cooling system (altitude), might be a reason why there seems to be a problem with airlocks ? ???

The highest point of the cooling system is the header tank...but only when the cooling system is in full flow :)

Until the thermostat opens up, to let the coolant through....then the highest point is the matrix (especially if facing downhill)...so any leaks in the system (air) will make it's way to the matrix :-/

Being that the matrix outlet pipe is slightly lower than the highest point of the matrix...then the air will not be dispersed....hence airlock ;)

Just a theory :)

Honestly.....I didn't make this up ::).....some guy called Isaac Newton did ;) ;D

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by Simmo on Apr 7^th, 2007, 7:43am

He just didn't have knack of putting things in plain,straightforward terms like you do JC !!! ;D :D. Mike.

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by jonnycab on Apr 7^th, 2007, 12:31pm

Cheers Mike....but it could all be a load of old rubbish :-/ ;)

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by petehull on Apr 7^th, 2007, 12:39pm

Hi everyone :-/

One of the reasons why airlocks occur when filling the cooling system is due to the heater being set to cold.

Before filling the system you should set it to hot, this will allow the water to circulate fully, leave the header tank pressure cap off and run the engine on tick over until it reaches operating temp, the thermostat should then open allowing the air to travel up to the header tank and escape.
I have refilled my cooling system on many occasions including yesterday and have never had a problem with airlocks.... 8)

Hope this helps...
Pete

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by harry.m1byt on Apr 8^th, 2007, 9:11am

Just to discount the thermostat theory...

Feel the upper pipe between engine and radiator, as the car warms up. It should remain cold until the engine is warm enough to cause the stat to open. In other words the hose should become warm all of a sudden, rather than gradually.

To check for flow through the heater matrix, feel the flow and return pipes - both should be hot. Set the control for warm interior with the fan on and check again - both should still be hot. If the return pipe alone goes cool, you matrix is blocked or airlocked.

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by dan_the_man on Apr 8^th, 2007, 7:51pm

Thanks Guys , this site and its members are extreemly helpfull. I will do the Harry thermostat test today !

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by dan_the_man on Apr 9^th, 2007, 11:55pm

The thermo stst test was done today... The Top hose got warm gradually ! I susspect once again the thermostat, cheers. :-/

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by jonnycab on Apr 10^th, 2007, 12:24am

A new thermostat from FMD is about £15.00, so worth a gamble :)

P.S.....don't go for a pattern part at the local motor factors....it won't fit :)

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by Tompion on Apr 10^th, 2007, 12:58am

Could still be the matrix, I found with my 2.3 even with a new stat the top hose gradually got warm from start up.
After flushing the matrix it stayed cold/cool till the temp gauge was nearly up to the mid point. I assume if there’s a restriction in the matrix the pressure can force the stat to open slightly. I know it wasn’t an air lock as I fitted a bleed valve.
Agree with JC had to take stat back that I got from motor factors.
Dave

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by Spannerdemon on Apr 10^th, 2007, 8:33am

One of the main reasons that cooling systems give problems, is that car owners fill up with tap water. Plain water does not protect the waterways within a car. A mixture of water and anti-freeze must always be used...all year round.

Anti freeze contains rust inhibitors and helps to lubricate the waterways thus preventing the dreaded corrosion, which of course goes completely unseen! :o

I know that most of you will know this, but the cost of ignoring it can be horrendous. I've seen seriously corroded cylinder heads, severe damage between the tops of cylinders on blocks, and wrecked radiators and matrixes as described. All of these symptoms are largely avoidable, and certainly costly to put right.

It's a good idea, once every two years to do a total coolant system flush, and check all hoses. Even the little ones that can be the easiest to overlook. They are usually the ones that fail, and cause problems. Hoses often fail internally, (the inner walls collapse), and go 'flat', restricting or even blocking the water flow

All for the sake of a bit of anti-freeze. ;)

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by dan_the_man on Jun 8^th, 2007, 8:07pm

the system has been reversed flushed, after a week of rad flush sloshing arround ! my mechanic mate said 'new matrix needed, approx four hours work ! ' any idea on the matrix cost please gents ?

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by jonnycab on Jun 9^th, 2007, 2:39am

New matrix is about £110 from FMD :)

Only four hours work :o, wow, he must work fast......don't be surprised if 4 hours becomes 8 hours or more.... ::)

Took me a couple of days to change mine, but I did have a lot of tea breaks ;) :)

Title: Re: thermostat ! I susspect.
Post by Simmo on Jun 9^th, 2007, 8:47am

Hi Dan, who is the 'mechanic mate'?. Is it the same one who changes front bumpers?!!! if so THIS (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/matrix.htm) may help. Whoever it is you should take note of JCs' comments about the time factor and also make sure it is the correct unit for your car. IIRC there have been instances of confusion with the earlier model. Good luck, Mike.