T-STAT QUESTION

[WC9550]

Ok guys looking for some tech help and hoping this is the correct forum. Anyways, I pulled my car (03’ cobra) out of the garage last week to get into my attic. I was letting it idle in the driveway while I was in the garage. It was running for about 10-15 minutes. I heard the fans running which I thought was strange (it was about 35 degrees outside). So I went outside and saw a big puddle of coolant under it. I checked the gauge and it was about 3/4. I shit the car off right away and let it cool down fully. The coolant seemed to come out the expansion tank (the OEM black tank on the right when standing in front of the car looking at the engine). I guess my question is, would the T-stat be the cause of the coolant explosion? I never had an issue with the car before. Thanks for all the help guys.

P.S.- Mods if this is the wrong section for this thread, please move it. Thanks again

 

[STAMPEDE3]

I moved to where I think it goes but you didn't mention what kind of car so I went by what's in your profile.

 

[WC9550]

Stampede3: thanks man. I’ll edit my post now and put that detail in it. Thanks for the move.

 

[NY03SonicConv.]

If you hadn’t done any work to it before you put it away the thermostat would be the first thing I’d change. If you did anything to the cooling system, then I’d figure it’s air bound and go through the refill and burp routine.

 

[BMSTNG]

Try changing out the cap on the expansion tank. Could be cheap quick fix.

 

[WC9550]

Thanks for the input guys. I haven’t done anything to the car prior to putting it away for the year. I’ll order a new T-stat ASAP for it. Any recommendations on stat to get for it? Thanks again guys

 

[03cobra#694]

Thanks for the input guys. I haven’t done anything to the car prior to putting it away for the year. I’ll order a new T-stat ASAP for it. Any recommendations on stat to get for it? Thanks again guys

This one, Pretty sure Lethal sells them these days.
https://www.svtperformance.com/threads/thermostat-cooling-system-reische-performance.572407/

 

[WC9550]

^^^^. Thanks for the link. I’m going to perhaps website now to get one.

 

[jrgoffin]

The same Stant 170° for about half their price: Termi-Stat Home

Have been selling them for almost five years now.

 

[ZEN357]

If you replace the T-Stat go with a 180 Degrees.

 

[jrgoffin]

Stock is 180°. The 170 is much better suited for these cars.

 

[WC9550]

Thanks for all the info guys. I got the 170 stat

 

[hotcobra03]

Thanks for all the info guys. I got the 170 stat

you will need to change fan settings for this.

i also had drilled 2 tiny holes to help pass air.

 

[WC9550]

Hotcobra: you mentioned needing to reset fan settings, is there a way to do that without buying a hand held programmer?

Also another general question, since I drained the coolant (most of it anyways) it seems to me that it had gold coolant in it. Is there a suitable coolant I can get from autozone, advance auto etc.? Thanks again guys

 

[01yellercobra]

Hotcobra: you mentioned needing to reset fan settings, is there a way to do that without buying a hand held programmer?

Also another general question, since I drained the coolant (most of it anyways) it seems to me that it had gold coolant in it. Is there a suitable coolant I can get from autozone, advance auto etc.? Thanks again guys

Unfortunately there isn't. Unless you put in a manual switch.

The parts stores should have a compatible coolant. I've seen it, but I can't remember the brand.

 

[WC9550]

Thanks for the info guys. I decided to get a 180* stat instead so I wouldn’t need a programmer for the fans. I installed the stat and filled it with coolant (using reservoir and cross over pipe). I let it warm up for 25+ minutes and the heat seems to work real well and the level in the tank seems about right ~2.5 inches in the tank. These things kinda suck to burp lol. I decided to go 180* instead since I’m going to sell the car. Thanks for all the info guys