radiator thermostat

max_75 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2003, 05:30 AM

Can the radiator thermostat adjust it to open at earlier temperature?? Means maybe the thermostat can adjust to open at 80C.?? can it be done?

nizam · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2003, 10:58 AM

Alfa Heaven has a low temp thermostat. I have one in my wife's Verde -- not so much that the car was over heating but rather its pilot started overheating when she sees the needle get over 190F or about 90C in the summertime.

The stock thermostats will make the car run hotter -- this is not a bad thing. Efficient combustion happens at higher temps. New cars run a whole lot hotter than our Alfas, but of course, their cooling systems are more efficient at keeping the temperatures in a smaller range over a wide variety of conditions.

If the temp gauge worries you, the Alfa Heaven thermostat is only $20 and will buy you your peace of mind. It won't do the engine any big favors though.

Contact: Alfa Heaven, Inc./SSZ Motorcars, Ltd.
2698 Nolan Road, Aniwa, Wisconsin, 54408, USA

Tel: 1-715-449-2141
HOURS: MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8:00 AM UNTIL 5:00 PM, CENTRAL

Sorry- not a plug, but rather a satisfied customer of the low-temp thermostat.

nizam · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2003, 11:05 AM

You know, I just realized you were posting from KL, Malaysia.

The easiest way for you to get a 'low-temp thermostat' is to take yours out. It's always 28-40C in Malaysia anyway, and I believe all of our Alfas over there have had their tonsils - er, thermostats -removed with no apparent issues to the engine. In fact, I'm constantly amazed at how my dad's 164 can keep its needle smack dab dead center while idling around in KL traffic with the AC on full blast. Only when we're on the higways (and cruising over 210km/h for long stretches of time) does the needle creep up a bit.

On the other hand, up here in the higher latitudes the termostats are absolutely necessary... especially so where BigSwede lives!

max_75 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2003, 12:48 AM

so without the thermostat, the fan will run since i start the engine huh?...

nizam · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2003, 09:08 AM

No.

Your fan is not controlled by your thermostat.

Your fan is controlled by the thermo fan switch, which is located at the bottom of your radiator.

Nizam

max_75 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2003, 12:51 AM

oh ya... i always confuse with that..