Re: [alfa] Re: Underheating GTV

["Bruce Giller" <bgiller@xxxxxxxxx>]

Charlie,
	With the engine cold, the temp gauge will rise steadily to just past
the 175 F mark and then drop.  At the same time, the top radiator hose is
cold and becomes hot when the temp gauge hits above the 175 mark.  

	The thermostat is a new THM138, a double poppet unit that blocks
both the large outlet and the small inlet from the waterpump. I've also
tried a new OEM thermostat with the same results.  But I could remove the
thermostat and see if it doesn't close all the way or something is blocking
it.  At least you can't put this one in backwards.

	I've tried one of those infrared temp 'pistols' and a calibrated
cooking thermometer which both read the outside temp was near 180...pretty
much what the temp gauge was telling me.  This method probably won't tell me
of any small temp. changes inside the thermostat.

	Bruce

Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2004 02:22:04 EDT
From: C2slayman@domain.elided
Subject: [alfa] Re: Underheating GTV

Hi Bruce,
    What makes you sure your temp gauge is accurate?  Is it possible that
the 
car really is running at 190F and the gauge is off?
    If you think the gauge is accurate, it could be that the thermostat is 
jamming in the return position (ie once it opens it has a hard time closing 
until things really cool off).  You might be able to see this if you put the

thermostat in a hot pot of water and let it cool down.  Watch for smooth
continuous 
action of the thermostat as it closes.  If you want to get fancy, you can 
even stick a thermometer in the pot.  But what's the accuracy of the
thermometer? 
 I am always suspicious of accuracy of intrumentation unless it has been 
calibrated.

Charlie

In a message dated 8/10/2004 8:14:51 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 08:10:41 -0400
From: "Bruce Giller" <bgiller@domain.elided>
Subject: re: [alfa] Underheating GTV

I have bleed the cooling system at both locations with the car on a flat
surface to make sure that any air will pool at the thermostat.  My Spider
had air in the system once and it caused it to overheat pretty badly.

When I worked on the SPICA adjustments, I made sure the temp was between 170
and 180 F.  But when driving, it never seems to stay at 175 F .

    Bruce
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