Thermostat

I completely forgot to ask them to change the thermostat at my last service.
The temp gauge sits around or below 70 and should be at 90. In the recent
cold weather, it has hardly gone over 65 and it takes about 20 minutes
before proper hot air comes through to the cabin. Its always been low, but
it seems to be getting worse. The GT I had last month was warm within a few
minutes and blowing hot air at me after about 3 miles!



Mine's a 2002, 156 Petrol 2.0 JTS. Anyone know where the thermostat is and
how easy the job is? Should I even consider changing it myself? I'm
proficient with the spanner and screwdriver, but I won't go near anything
critical - ie: if its in there with the timing belt and pump etc, then I'm
not going there! If it is inline with the cooling pipes and radiator, then I'll
consider it.



Advice, support / discouragement welcome!



GT



PS. My intermittent 'splutter' under load at lowish revs is back again too!
Might try some redex, but it didn't really help last time.

In alt.autos.alfa-romeo,
GT > wrote:
>
> Mine's a 2002, 156 Petrol 2.0 JTS. Anyone know where the thermostat is and
> how easy the job is? Should I even consider changing it myself? I'm
> proficient with the spanner and screwdriver, but I won't go near anything
> critical - ie: if its in there with the timing belt and pump etc, then I'm
> not going there! If it is inline with the cooling pipes and radiator, then I'll
> consider it.

Thermostat is on the side of the cylinderhead. Not very hard to change,
remove air intake tube to get access. And don't forget to drain the
coolant first!

See: http://i56.tinypic.com/51a39w.png

"1" is the thermostat and "2" is the o-ring that should come with it.

--
Stef (remove caps, dashes and .invalid from e-mail address to reply by mail)

Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good,
you'll have to ram them down people's throats.
-- Howard Aiken

"Stef" > wrote in message
...
> In alt.autos.alfa-romeo,
> GT > wrote:
>>
>> Mine's a 2002, 156 Petrol 2.0 JTS. Anyone know where the thermostat is
>> and
>> how easy the job is? Should I even consider changing it myself? I'm
>> proficient with the spanner and screwdriver, but I won't go near anything
>> critical - ie: if its in there with the timing belt and pump etc, then
>> I'm
>> not going there! If it is inline with the cooling pipes and radiator,
>> then I'll
>> consider it.
>
> Thermostat is on the side of the cylinderhead. Not very hard to change,
> remove air intake tube to get access. And don't forget to drain the
> coolant first!

Sorry to drag this one out guys, but...

The new thermo finally arrived last week (about 10 days delivery 'cos of
weather delays!) and I had a go at it yesterday lunch time, but the pipes
are held on with silly one-use clips. I took one clip off as a test and they
are easy to get back on if you can get room to fit a hand and pliers, but
the ones under the thermostat have little access so I can't get the clips
back on (one is held on with a cable tie for now!!). I figured that as I
couldn't get the pipes clipped back on, I did the sensible thing and didn't
take them off. I've now been out and bought some jubilee clips (didn't have
any lying around), so I can at least remove the part and replace it - but
another thing that stumped me is how to drain the system?

I found the bleed screw on the radiator, I can't see a drain plug and can't
find reference to one online anywhere! If there is no drain plug, then I'll
just pull off the lowest pipe from the thermostat and let it pour into a
milk carton or something, but I would expect a drain point somewhere??

On 14/12/2010 09:51, GT wrote:
> > wrote in message
> ...
>> In alt.autos.alfa-romeo,
>> > wrote:
>>>
>>> Mine's a 2002, 156 Petrol 2.0 JTS. Anyone know where the thermostat is
>>> and
>>> how easy the job is? Should I even consider changing it myself? I'm
>>> proficient with the spanner and screwdriver, but I won't go near anything
>>> critical - ie: if its in there with the timing belt and pump etc, then
>>> I'm
>>> not going there! If it is inline with the cooling pipes and radiator,
>>> then I'll
>>> consider it.
>>
>> Thermostat is on the side of the cylinderhead. Not very hard to change,
>> remove air intake tube to get access. And don't forget to drain the
>> coolant first!
>
> Sorry to drag this one out guys, but...
>
> The new thermo finally arrived last week (about 10 days delivery 'cos of
> weather delays!) and I had a go at it yesterday lunch time, but the pipes
> are held on with silly one-use clips. I took one clip off as a test and they
> are easy to get back on if you can get room to fit a hand and pliers, but
> the ones under the thermostat have little access so I can't get the clips
> back on (one is held on with a cable tie for now!!). I figured that as I
> couldn't get the pipes clipped back on, I did the sensible thing and didn't
> take them off. I've now been out and bought some jubilee clips (didn't have
> any lying around),

Wonderful things.

so I can at least remove the part and replace it - but
> another thing that stumped me is how to drain the system?
>
> I found the bleed screw on the radiator, I can't see a drain plug and can't
> find reference to one online anywhere! If there is no drain plug, then I'll
> just pull off the lowest pipe from the thermostat and let it pour into a
> milk carton or something, but I would expect a drain point somewhere??

Personally I can't recall ever using a drain point on any car, but
that's just me


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
#www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

"Catman" > wrote in message
...
> On 14/12/2010 09:51, GT wrote:
>> > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> In alt.autos.alfa-romeo,
>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Mine's a 2002, 156 Petrol 2.0 JTS. Anyone know where the thermostat is
>>>> and
>>>> how easy the job is? Should I even consider changing it myself? I'm
>>>> proficient with the spanner and screwdriver, but I won't go near
>>>> anything
>>>> critical - ie: if its in there with the timing belt and pump etc, then
>>>> I'm
>>>> not going there! If it is inline with the cooling pipes and radiator,
>>>> then I'll
>>>> consider it.
>>>
>>> Thermostat is on the side of the cylinderhead. Not very hard to change,
>>> remove air intake tube to get access. And don't forget to drain the
>>> coolant first!
>>
>> Sorry to drag this one out guys, but...
>>
>> The new thermo finally arrived last week (about 10 days delivery 'cos of
>> weather delays!) and I had a go at it yesterday lunch time, but the pipes
>> are held on with silly one-use clips. I took one clip off as a test and
>> they
>> are easy to get back on if you can get room to fit a hand and pliers, but
>> the ones under the thermostat have little access so I can't get the clips
>> back on (one is held on with a cable tie for now!!). I figured that as I
>> couldn't get the pipes clipped back on, I did the sensible thing and
>> didn't
>> take them off. I've now been out and bought some jubilee clips (didn't
>> have
>> any lying around),
>
> Wonderful things.
>
> so I can at least remove the part and replace it - but
>> another thing that stumped me is how to drain the system?
>>
>> I found the bleed screw on the radiator, I can't see a drain plug and
>> can't
>> find reference to one online anywhere! If there is no drain plug, then
>> I'll
>> just pull off the lowest pipe from the thermostat and let it pour into a
>> milk carton or something, but I would expect a drain point somewhere??
>
> Personally I can't recall ever using a drain point on any car, but that's
> just me

Quick and easy suites me, so its an old bit of pipe and a 4pt milk carton or
2...

In alt.autos.alfa-romeo,
GT > wrote:
> "Stef" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In alt.autos.alfa-romeo,
>> GT > wrote:
>>>
>>> Mine's a 2002, 156 Petrol 2.0 JTS. Anyone know where the thermostat is
>>> and
>>> how easy the job is? Should I even consider changing it myself? I'm
>>> proficient with the spanner and screwdriver, but I won't go near anything
>>> critical - ie: if its in there with the timing belt and pump etc, then
>>> I'm
>>> not going there! If it is inline with the cooling pipes and radiator,
>>> then I'll
>>> consider it.
>>
>> Thermostat is on the side of the cylinderhead. Not very hard to change,
>> remove air intake tube to get access. And don't forget to drain the
>> coolant first!
>
> Sorry to drag this one out guys, but...
>
> The new thermo finally arrived last week (about 10 days delivery 'cos of
> weather delays!) and I had a go at it yesterday lunch time, but the pipes
> are held on with silly one-use clips. I took one clip off as a test and they
> are easy to get back on if you can get room to fit a hand and pliers, but
> the ones under the thermostat have little access so I can't get the clips
> back on (one is held on with a cable tie for now!!). I figured that as I
> couldn't get the pipes clipped back on, I did the sensible thing and didn't
> take them off. I've now been out and bought some jubilee clips (didn't have
> any lying around), so I can at least remove the part and replace it - but
> another thing that stumped me is how to drain the system?
>
> I found the bleed screw on the radiator, I can't see a drain plug and can't
> find reference to one online anywhere! If there is no drain plug, then I'll
> just pull off the lowest pipe from the thermostat and let it pour into a
> milk carton or something, but I would expect a drain point somewhere??

If you really want all fluid out: The bottom hose of the radiator has a
quick disconnect. Squeeze the metal ring and pull the hose out. Fluid
will drain very quickly from hose and radiator, so you will need a big
container to catch most of the 2 streams. You will need to remove
under engine shield and air filter IIRC.

Gently draining from the thermostat hoses directly may take a bit longer
but does not require you to remove engine shield and air filter. And you
only need to drain about half the contents of the system. So this was my
preferred option when I did the thermostat on my 156 (2001 TS) on the
parking lot. Make sure you put some containers under the car for those
unexpected spills when a hose or thermostat comes off. Actually changing
the thermostat is less work than draining the system without making a
mess in my experience.


--
Stef (remove caps, dashes and .invalid from e-mail address to reply by mail)

I remember Ulysses well... Left one day for the post office to mail a letter,
met a blonde named Circe on the streetcar, and didn't come back for 20 years.

"Stef" > wrote in message
. ..
> In alt.autos.alfa-romeo,
> GT > wrote:
>> "Stef" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> In alt.autos.alfa-romeo,
>>> GT > wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Mine's a 2002, 156 Petrol 2.0 JTS. Anyone know where the thermostat is
>>>> and
>>>> how easy the job is? Should I even consider changing it myself? I'm
>>>> proficient with the spanner and screwdriver, but I won't go near
>>>> anything
>>>> critical - ie: if its in there with the timing belt and pump etc, then
>>>> I'm
>>>> not going there! If it is inline with the cooling pipes and radiator,
>>>> then I'll
>>>> consider it.
>>>
>>> Thermostat is on the side of the cylinderhead. Not very hard to change,
>>> remove air intake tube to get access. And don't forget to drain the
>>> coolant first!
>>
>> Sorry to drag this one out guys, but...
>>
>> The new thermo finally arrived last week (about 10 days delivery 'cos of
>> weather delays!) and I had a go at it yesterday lunch time, but the pipes
>> are held on with silly one-use clips. I took one clip off as a test and
>> they
>> are easy to get back on if you can get room to fit a hand and pliers, but
>> the ones under the thermostat have little access so I can't get the clips
>> back on (one is held on with a cable tie for now!!). I figured that as I
>> couldn't get the pipes clipped back on, I did the sensible thing and
>> didn't
>> take them off. I've now been out and bought some jubilee clips (didn't
>> have
>> any lying around), so I can at least remove the part and replace it - but
>> another thing that stumped me is how to drain the system?
>>
>> I found the bleed screw on the radiator, I can't see a drain plug and
>> can't
>> find reference to one online anywhere! If there is no drain plug, then
>> I'll
>> just pull off the lowest pipe from the thermostat and let it pour into a
>> milk carton or something, but I would expect a drain point somewhere??
>
> If you really want all fluid out: The bottom hose of the radiator has a
> quick disconnect. Squeeze the metal ring and pull the hose out. Fluid
> will drain very quickly from hose and radiator, so you will need a big
> container to catch most of the 2 streams. You will need to remove
> under engine shield and air filter IIRC.
>
> Gently draining from the thermostat hoses directly may take a bit longer
> but does not require you to remove engine shield and air filter. And you
> only need to drain about half the contents of the system. So this was my
> preferred option when I did the thermostat on my 156 (2001 TS) on the
> parking lot. Make sure you put some containers under the car for those
> unexpected spills when a hose or thermostat comes off. Actually changing
> the thermostat is less work than draining the system without making a
> mess in my experience.

Fair enough - that was my backup plan anyway if I couldn't drain it!

On 18/11/2010 10:46, GT wrote:
> I completely forgot to ask them to change the thermostat at my last service.
> The temp gauge sits around or below 70 and should be at 90. In the recent
> cold weather, it has hardly gone over 65 and it takes about 20 minutes
> before proper hot air comes through to the cabin. Its always been low, but
> it seems to be getting worse. The GT I had last month was warm within a few
> minutes and blowing hot air at me after about 3 miles!

Pah. Get one with a proper engine, they take forever to warm up

>
>
>
> Mine's a 2002, 156 Petrol 2.0 JTS. Anyone know where the thermostat is and
> how easy the job is? Should I even consider changing it myself? I'm
> proficient with the spanner and screwdriver, but I won't go near anything
> critical - ie: if its in there with the timing belt and pump etc, then I'm
> not going there! If it is inline with the cooling pipes and radiator, then I'll
> consider it.

Don't know on the JTS, I'm afraid. On the old single sparks, it was dead
easy.



>
>
>
> Advice, support / discouragement welcome!
>
>
>
> GT
>
>
>
> PS. My intermittent 'splutter' under load at lowish revs is back again too!
> Might try some redex, but it didn't really help last time.
>
>


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

"GT" > wrote in message
eb.com...
>I completely forgot to ask them to change the thermostat at my last
>service. The temp gauge sits around or below 70 and should be at 90. In the
>recent cold weather, it has hardly gone over 65 and it takes about 20
>minutes before proper hot air comes through to the cabin. Its always been
>low, but it seems to be getting worse. The GT I had last month was warm
>within a few minutes and blowing hot air at me after about 3 miles!
>
> Mine's a 2002, 156 Petrol 2.0 JTS. Anyone know where the thermostat is and
> how easy the job is? Should I even consider changing it myself? I'm
> proficient with the spanner and screwdriver, but I won't go near anything
> critical - ie: if its in there with the timing belt and pump etc, then I'm
> not going there! If it is inline with the cooling pipes and radiator, then
> I'll consider it.

In fact, is there an easy way of confirming that the thermostat is shot?

On 19/11/2010 11:33, GT wrote:
> > wrote in message
> eb.com...
>> I completely forgot to ask them to change the thermostat at my last
>> service. The temp gauge sits around or below 70 and should be at 90. In the
>> recent cold weather, it has hardly gone over 65 and it takes about 20
>> minutes before proper hot air comes through to the cabin. Its always been
>> low, but it seems to be getting worse. The GT I had last month was warm
>> within a few minutes and blowing hot air at me after about 3 miles!
>>
>> Mine's a 2002, 156 Petrol 2.0 JTS. Anyone know where the thermostat is and
>> how easy the job is? Should I even consider changing it myself? I'm
>> proficient with the spanner and screwdriver, but I won't go near anything
>> critical - ie: if its in there with the timing belt and pump etc, then I'm
>> not going there! If it is inline with the cooling pipes and radiator, then
>> I'll consider it.
>
> In fact, is there an easy way of confirming that the thermostat is shot?
>
>

Well your symptoms certainly match.

You can feel the hoses as your car warms up. The outlet hose should get
warm quite suddenly as the stat opens.

The only sure fire way is to remove and test in hot water though...


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk