12-05-2007, 12:25 AM
|
#1
|
GL Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 267
|
Stuck Thermostat?
Hey all!
I suspect that my thermostat is stuck open on my '03 Ecotec with about 104,000kms on it. I didn't really notice until it started to get cold out, and my car won't warm up. What happens is, when I let it run for about 10 minutes, I come back outside and its still ice cold, the temp gauge is only half way to the first line on the gauge. The coldest its been out when this happens is -20*C. When I drive the car it warms up, but if I park it and let it idle after driving it, the temp gauge falls back down. Normal operating temp for me is at half way on the gauge. I don't know what the lines represent. I pulled the relays for the cooling fans, and tried the heater on something other than defrost so the fans don't run, but I still have the same problem, even without the fans on.
When the motor is running, with the water temp well below 180*, there is no pressure in the radiator hoses, when I squeeze them, the coolant bubbles in the surge tank. I can only assume that if the thermostat was closed, there would be more pressure in the system.
Am I correct to assume the thermostat is stuck open? Is it located in the pipe on the back of the water pump on an ecotec?
Anyway, thats my story.
Thanks for anything!
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 12:36 AM
|
#2
|
Aleromod's most pointless thread starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Jersey (north and south are 2 diff. states)
Posts: 2,349
|
it sounds like it is stuck open. the middle represents ~200 monitored scanner temp reading and gauge at same time
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by adam337
whats with all the useless threads lately?..
|
New project 1992 460 big block ford notchback mustang
Goal - Mid 11s all motor.
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 02:01 AM
|
#3
|
Aleromod part owner
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Far Northeast Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 18,199
|
Are you losing coolant? Is your coolant tank full? Any SES lights? (I doubt that one)
__________________
33% ALEROMOD OWNER!!
2000 Olds Alero 3400 SFI 14.53 @ 94.93
1985 Olds Delta 88 307 SBO 17.96 @ 76.99
2007 Volvo V50 T5 6M 15.782 @ 89.12
www.facebook.com/kb0177
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 02:29 AM
|
#4
|
Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Long Grove, IL
Posts: 5,002
|
My Ecotec NEVER gets to the middle of the gauge. And when it sits idle the heat is definitely not as hot. It's always been that way since new.
__________________
Cliff Scott
2004 Alero GX w/sport pkg - Sold, living somewhere in WI now.
2011 Saab 9-5 Turbo4 M6
2004 Corvette Convertible M6
1994 Chevy Beretta - Quad4/M5
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 08:02 AM
|
#5
|
GX Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Peoria, il
Posts: 13
|
sounds stuck open to me.
__________________
07 GXP
Magnaflow exhaust, 3in downpipe , rear STB
(used to be 99blkalero)
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 09:31 AM
|
#6
|
GL Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 267
|
The surge tank could use a top up, but its maybe only 3/4" under the full cold mark. Its been like that for a long time though. I'd imagine the coolant hasn't been changed in the car, so I should probably do that. While i'm at it, I'll throw in a new thermostat. Kind of a pain though I think as i'll have to remove the exhaust manifold. oh well.
I read that the ecotec was designed to run at 195*, so thats probably what my gauge is saying.
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 09:42 AM
|
#7
|
GL Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Loring, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 579
|
I got the same thing goin on. It just doesn't seem to throw as much heat as it should, like an hour and a half trip and the blower on high the whole way. Normally on any other vehicle after about 10-15mins I have to turn the heat down cause it's too hot. And you gotta remove the exhaust manifold???? maybe time for header?
__________________
2003 Alero
2.2 5speed
Grey
1996 GMC Yukon 4x4
5.7 liters of gas suckin power!
33x12.5r15 Mud Terrians on 15x10 wheels
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12345678987654321
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 09:51 AM
|
#8
|
GL Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 267
|
Yeah, the thermostat is located at the back of the water pump, so with an automatic transmission, you have to pull the exhaust manifold to get at all the bolts in the water pump housing. If you have a 5-speed (which you sig says you do) you might be able to switch it out without removing anything, but I can't say for sure. Well you have to drain the coolant of course, or at least expect to replace a lot of it as it drains out of the pipe you disconnect.
Removing the exhaust manifold is no big deal, actually. The car should be new enough that everything should come apart fairly easily. I might need a new manifold to down pipe gasket, if there is one, and maybe the bolts for the down pipe, but the ones in the head should be a piece of cake. i think they might even be studs.
I even have an O2 sensor socket.
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 03:00 PM
|
#9
|
GLS member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Utica, Michigan
Posts: 2,227
|
what about on a 3400? mine's doing that...i let it sit for 10-15 minutes and it is barely off the cold line.
__________________
2000 Chevrolet Malibu LS
2000 Oldsmobile Alero GL (sold)
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 06:37 PM
|
#10
|
GL Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Loring, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 579
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheEdgeofSanity
what about on a 3400? mine's doing that...i let it sit for 10-15 minutes and it is barely off the cold line.
|
For some reason with my old alero it was the same but when I started driving it warmed up fast and I had to turn down the heat within 2 mins or so of driving.
__________________
2003 Alero
2.2 5speed
Grey
1996 GMC Yukon 4x4
5.7 liters of gas suckin power!
33x12.5r15 Mud Terrians on 15x10 wheels
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12345678987654321
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 06:48 PM
|
#11
|
3500 DONE!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 5,915
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cliff8928
My Ecotec NEVER gets to the middle of the gauge. And when it sits idle the heat is definitely not as hot. It's always been that way since new.
|
when it sits it doesnt go up any!? damn, ever since i got my LIM leak fixed, if i have the car sit too long when its all warmed up in hot weather, the needle goes past the half way mark...... i hate it!
__________________
2002 3400 & 3500 GL "Ruby"-->R.I.P. 163k. My first car. Put 130k on her.
2000 3500 GLS "Robin"-->Intake,Headers,Exhaust,H&R springs,KYB AGX,Sway bars,Strut bars and more
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 07:21 PM
|
#12
|
GL Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 267
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheEdgeofSanity
what about on a 3400? mine's doing that...i let it sit for 10-15 minutes and it is barely off the cold line.
|
3400 should be fairly easy to change. My haynes manual says its at the end of the lower intake manifold on the drivers side of the engine compartment. You follow the upper radiator hose until you find it. It'll be a metal pipe with two bolts holding it to the block.
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 08:19 PM
|
#13
|
GL Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Loring, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 579
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaRockwilder
3400 should be fairly easy to change. My haynes manual says its at the end of the lower intake manifold on the drivers side of the engine compartment. You follow the upper radiator hose until you find it. It'll be a metal pipe with two bolts holding it to the block.
|
If I remember correctly you have to take the tb off to get at it, but that was almost 3 years ago when I did mine, I just changed it because I was doing the LIMG and everything was exposed. I don't know for sure if you gotta take off the tb but there was something in the road to make it a PITA I think.
__________________
2003 Alero
2.2 5speed
Grey
1996 GMC Yukon 4x4
5.7 liters of gas suckin power!
33x12.5r15 Mud Terrians on 15x10 wheels
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12345678987654321
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 08:37 PM
|
#14
|
GLS member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Utica, Michigan
Posts: 2,227
|
hmmm.....well, if my thermostat is stuck open, will it hurt anything? i can deal with it taking longer to warm up for the time being because i have nowhere warm to work on it right now.
__________________
2000 Chevrolet Malibu LS
2000 Oldsmobile Alero GL (sold)
|
|
|
12-05-2007, 10:29 PM
|
#15
|
3500 DONE!
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 5,915
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheEdgeofSanity
hmmm.....well, if my thermostat is stuck open, will it hurt anything? i can deal with it taking longer to warm up for the time being because i have nowhere warm to work on it right now.
|
Just put on a sweatshirt, a heavy coat, some warm pants and a nice warm hat.... you will be fine. It shouldnt take too long.
__________________
2002 3400 & 3500 GL "Ruby"-->R.I.P. 163k. My first car. Put 130k on her.
2000 3500 GLS "Robin"-->Intake,Headers,Exhaust,H&R springs,KYB AGX,Sway bars,Strut bars and more
|
|
|
12-06-2007, 02:35 AM
|
#16
|
Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Long Grove, IL
Posts: 5,002
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by billytheman1188
when it sits it doesnt go up any!? damn, ever since i got my LIM leak fixed, if i have the car sit too long when its all warmed up in hot weather, the needle goes past the half way mark...... i hate it!
|
Actually, if I'm driving it and then let it sit, the temp usually goes down.
__________________
Cliff Scott
2004 Alero GX w/sport pkg - Sold, living somewhere in WI now.
2011 Saab 9-5 Turbo4 M6
2004 Corvette Convertible M6
1994 Chevy Beretta - Quad4/M5
|
|
|
12-06-2007, 04:19 AM
|
#17
|
Aleromod's most pointless thread starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Jersey (north and south are 2 diff. states)
Posts: 2,349
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by nickbain
I don't know for sure if you gotta take off the tb but there was something in the road to make it a PITA I think.
|
yes you could take the tb off. other people suggest take the exhaust heat shield off to get to that bottom bolt. if you have small hands it is kinda do-able without removing tb or heat shield. when you do the lim leak repair it is a good idea to do thermostat too
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by adam337
whats with all the useless threads lately?..
|
New project 1992 460 big block ford notchback mustang
Goal - Mid 11s all motor.
|
|
|
12-06-2007, 05:14 AM
|
#18
|
Keepin it Real
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 12,522
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 01silveralero
yes you could take the tb off. other people suggest take the exhaust heat shield off to get to that bottom bolt. if you have small hands it is kinda do-able without removing tb or heat shield. when you do the lim leak repair it is a good idea to do thermostat too
|
you realize this is the ecotec section right? not the 3400 section. all of what you just said does not apply.
__________________
2015 Audi SQ5
2000 Alero GLS Coupe - still in the family, but I don't drive it anymore
|
|
|
12-06-2007, 08:47 AM
|
#19
|
GL Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Loring, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 579
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackal2000
you realize this is the ecotec section right? not the 3400 section. all of what you just said does not apply.
|
Accually it kinda does because he quoted me and I was talking about the 3400 in response to theedgeofsanity's question about his 3400 and changing the t-stat in that, so while it is in the wrong section his post is relavent(sp?).
__________________
2003 Alero
2.2 5speed
Grey
1996 GMC Yukon 4x4
5.7 liters of gas suckin power!
33x12.5r15 Mud Terrians on 15x10 wheels
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12345678987654321
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:46 AM.
|