Lazy water pump? April 26, 2016, 01:28:39 AM Replaced the thermostat then the temp sender as the needle hardly moved out of the blue area but then read 3/4 up the scale put it down to the gauge getting old .this morning it was -2 and the gauge read half way where it should be for 10 miles then crept up to 3/4 top hose hot bottom hose cold radiator is new.does this sound like a worn water pump or a bad thermostat?. Quote Selected
Lazy water pump? Reply #1 – April 26, 2016, 05:21:39 AM Top hose should be hot and bottom should be cooler. You can rule out the fan if you are driving above 30mph when it acts up. Simple way to test and see if the car is pumping water, take the radiator cap off when cold and see if water is circulating. If not, the tstat could be stuck closed or not opening fully. Water pumps usually last a really long time.If the gas guage also creeps up, it could be a bad connection in the ignition switch or Irv in the dash cluster. The temp gauge basically does nothing on these cars until you are overheating. Quote Selected
Lazy water pump? Reply #2 – April 26, 2016, 11:21:29 AM For future reference; always test a new thermostat in a pot of water on the stove with a thermometer.Check all your vehicle grounds. Make sue the grounding wires themselves are in good shape and are making good contact with a metal non painted surface. Ford LOVED to put the one on the firewall over primer and paint. QuoteIf the gas gauge also creeps up, it could be a bad connection in the ignition switch or Irv in the dash cluster.Sometimes this will happen with the brake pedal being held down for longer than a few seconds or if you turn the heat on. The gas gauge and temp gauge on my Lincoln both this ever so slightly. I'll be replacing all the ground wires on that car just like I did with the Cougar. Bigger, heavier gauge stuff. It helps immensely. Quote Selected
Lazy water pump? Reply #3 – April 26, 2016, 12:19:22 PM I have just checked my records and the thermostat I fitted is 195f which I believe is OEM for the car yes I did test it before fitting made that mistake in the past.I also see thermostats at 160f and 180f what's the story with this?.will also check the grounds . Quote Selected
Lazy water pump? Reply #4 – April 26, 2016, 04:02:38 PM 160 and 180 temp thermostats are for older carbed cars. The computer needs to see a minimum of 180 to run properly, otherwise it will not run properly.The actual stock thermostat should be 192, but most if not all are 195 in the aftermarket. Quote Selected
Lazy water pump? Reply #5 – April 26, 2016, 08:35:59 PM Quote from: Haystack;455021160 and 180 temp thermostats are for older carbed cars. The computer needs to see a minimum of 180 to run properly, otherwise it will not run properly.The actual stock thermostat should be 192, but most if not all are 195 in the aftermarket.That's not really true, as long as the engine temp is around 100-120*F and o2 sensors are hot, the computer will be in closed loop... Quote Selected
Lazy water pump? Reply #6 – April 27, 2016, 05:50:14 PM An air pocket in the thermostat housing will keep it from opening.The thermostat has a weep hole to let the air pass through the closed valve as the coolant rises in the engine.When the water pump pressurizes the system, it should force the air pocket through the weep hole.However you could have such a large air pocket that it can't get through the tiny weep hole before the engine over heats.Try this: With a cold engine and the coolant at the correct level, take off the radiator cap and start the engine. If the coolant is drawn way down in the radiator, it is because the water pump is compressing an air pocket. With the engine still running, fill the radiator and replace the cap, then shut off the engine.This will hold it pressurized and hopefully the air pocket will bleed off through the weep hole.Let it sit for half an hour and retry the procedure until the air is out of the system.If you still suspect the water pump, you can remove the thermostat and run the engine with the radiator cap off and see if you have a healthy flow through the radiator. Quote Selected
Lazy water pump? Reply #7 – April 29, 2016, 04:08:40 PM Just checked and no air pocket going to order new thermostat and sender as either of these could be at fault not the first time that I have bought goods.on this I admit I haven't a clue who are the manufacturers to get or advoid any info on this would be most welcome. Quote Selected
Lazy water pump? Reply #8 – April 29, 2016, 05:39:09 PM I buy whatever is cheap. It has bitten me on some stuff, but not thermostats. Quote Selected
Topic: Lazy water pump? (Read 2723 times)
previous topic - next topic
