Thermostat not working

[SmeggyEddie91]

Hi folks,
Ive got a 96 1.2 Corsa which isnt heating up so im assuming its a dodgy thermostat.
Until I have time to replace the thermostat (being an awkward job) is it safe to put tin foil across the radiator? Ive done that today and drove about 10 miles and the temp stayed a steady 90. So as long as I keep an eye on the gauge, will it be ok like this short term? Thanks, Andy

[Paul666]

Changed the stat on my car due to it overheating a lot and was bummed to find that according to haynes the whole timing belt must come off.. My mate who is a mechanic though helped me change it by just undoing the camshaft pulley and carfully removing it to get access to thermostat my engine is single cam so not 100% what its like on the double cams but cant imagine it much different.. Managed to change it in half an hour without all the hassle of re timing the engine etc:) sounds like yours is fully open if it aint letting the engine heat up.

[PaulW]

90 is normal for temp so sounds like you've sorted it out. Not uncommon for the stat to get stuck open though. But yes, SOHC engines do need the timing belt removing to sort it. I'd be wary about just removing the cam pulley and doing it that way as you can't really guarantee the belt hasn't slipped a tooth on the crank pulley. Quite an easy job though to do a belt on SOHC.

The DOHC lumps are easiest to replace the stat on, as they are at the front of the engine and the cover is only 3 bolts with nothing in the way to get at it. Timing belt only needs to come off if doing water pump though. Again, not a hard job but just more fiddly.

Only thing you need to make sure you do is bleed any airlocks out of the system. I usually pull the CTS on SOHC lumps, and on DOHC there is a bleed nipple on the thermostat housing so much easier to do!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[SmeggyEddie91]

Thanks for the replies folks.
Ive done a similar job on a Cavalier years ago but the bolts sheared off and it was a real pain so im going to take my time to get it right. I'll take a chance with the foil a while longer though.
Andy