Help and assistance required in SE London area

[Prophead]

Hi,
i have recently bought a 944 '86 2.5 na. I am Scotland based and The car is currently on my mothers drive just outside Purley Croydon.

I was planning on driving the car back to Scotland on tuesday 23rd / wed 24th. However, it seems that the thermostat has decided to pack up. I really need to get this sorted out before driving back, unfortunately my flight is already booked to come and collect it.

So, looking for help and or assistance.
1. Where can i purchase a thermostat down there?
2. Is anyone nearby able to come and help / bring tools
3 or, recommend a nearby garage that might fit me in on Tuesday, i have to be back in Scotland by Wednesday night

Thanks

[JasonGibson]

Try DTR European Sportscars in Coulsdon. Good guys in there.


You will need to source the thermostat.
try Max at www.frazerpart.com
0151 66 50 911
he would be able to do next day delivery

Call both today

[tr7v8]

I may have a stat & gasket here. Be warned that they are a bloody pig to change without taking the water pump off! You'll need the circlip & rubber "cuff" as well.
What German genius decided that a bras stat, held in a rubber housing with a spring steel circlip was a good idea needs kicking! Vorsprung Durch Technic no way....

[Prophead]

Thanks guys, appreciated. Unfortunately, by the time i got back home yesterday everywhere was closed. Will try Mon morning but feel like i might be running out of time on this.

Just a shame these Stats dont fail safe in open position! At least then you coukd drive it without overheating.

Feel like a plan B and C might be in order.

[Brett928S2]

Hi

Its obviously overheating.... what makes you certain its the stat ? Or are you just hoping it is ?

All the best Brett

[tr7v8]

Err AA membership card?
I'm in Kent & around tomorrow for the stat but I have no sealing ring or rubber cuff. There is a Eurocar part in Croydon.

[Brett928S2]

Err AA membership card?
I'm in Kent & around tomorrow for the stat but I have no sealing ring or rubber cuff. There is a Eurocar part in Croydon.

Hi Jim

Now thats a good idea

"Conversation to AA/RAC guy goes..... I have just driven down from Scotland and now its overheating ....please take me back to Scotland"

Save a LOT of petrol as well

All the best Brett

[Prophead]

Recovery option is looking very probable just now.

95% its the Stat as after the car comes up to temp (or hotter) the rad stays cold, so assuming the stat is not opening. It might have an airlock. Fan switch has been replaced and it kicks in when it should, but useless if fluid not circulating through rad. I guess the rad could be blocked but i think more likely is the stat failed closed. Open to suggestions.

[tr7v8]

Confused fan switch is in the rad, if the rad stayed cold i.e. stat closed the fan would never see the higher temp.
There is a bleed screw on the thermostat housing open it & coolant should trickle out. They are pigs to bleed but only normally from near dry. Burping the upper & lower main hoses helps get air out.

Changing a stat with the water pump in the car is not trivial. The outlet faces downwards & the stat has a circlip holding it in which you cannot see. I've only ever done it with the pump off & on the bench & even then it was a 3Fs job & stabbed hands with screwdriver.

[Prophead]

Err AA membership card?
I'm in Kent & around tomorrow for the stat but I have no sealing ring or rubber cuff. There is a Eurocar part in Croydon.

Thats great offer but unfirtunately i dont get down there until midday on Tuesday. Gonna try and pick up all the bits i need tomorrow. Failing that think will be squeezing all the pipes and tapping things with a hammer hoping it kicks into life, then calling the recovery people.

Such a shame as was looking forward to getting to know the car on the drive back. Ho hum.

[Prophead]

Confused fan switch is in the rad, if the rad stayed cold i.e. stat closed the fan would never see the higher temp.
There is a bleed screw on the thermostat housing open it & coolant should trickle out. They are pigs to bleed but only normally from near dry. Burping the upper & lower main hoses helps get air out.

Changing a stat with the water pump in the car is not trivial. The outlet faces downwards & the stat has a circlip holding it in which you cannot see. I've only ever done it with the pump off & on the bench & even then it was a 3Fs job & stabbed hands with screwdriver.

Unfortunatley i have not actually got my own hands (or even eyes) on this car myself yet. So all of this is through secondhand info, photos, and my own research as to what might be causing the overheating based on symptoms described to me. All very frustrating, but appreciating the input.

[Prophead]

Try DTR European Sportscars in Coulsdon. Good guys in there.


You will need to source the thermostat.
try Max at http://www.frazerpart.com
0151 66 50 911
he would be able to do next day delivery

Call both today

Great suggestions. Called both this morning on the off chance, DTR will fit me in tomorrow afternoon, and Frazerpart have the correct parts and are overnighting them directly to DTR for me. Fingers crossed it is the stat. Feels like the plan is coming together. One way or another i will get the car back to Scotland by Wednesday night. Will update the thread with the outcome.

[JasonGibson]

Good news,
Say Hi to the owner Paul for me, have known him since i was around 13

Should be some nice cars in the workshop

[Prophead]

Well mixed emtions right now. Managed to get down here and get to DTR, and the parts Stat turned up in good time, so the plan was coming together. However, the problem wasnt the stat as it was missing along with the retaining clip. In addition it appears that at some point a ton or radseal has been poored in, in addition the heater matix must have been leaking as its been bipassed (and not a tidy job). So, my powers of deduction conclude that the rad is blocked as it is cold when all pipes and engine are hot. Unfortunately, run out of time to get the rad done so going to have to get it recovered back.

On a brighter note, overall the mechanic thought the car was a good and honest example and a decent basis for a resto project.

Overall i am happy with the car, just gutted i have more initial mechanical work to do before i get to tidying it up.

[tr7v8]

Sounds like Rad & heater matrix are on the shopping list. Together with some new hoses & clips I bet. Worth checking the water pump as some of these hate sealants. They also hate being dry or cooked.