Well Basically when I turn the car on during these cold mornings.. I let it run 5 minutes to get up to temperature (because i go DIRECTLY unto the highway 30 seconds from my parking spot).. SO i merge on the highway and turn on my heater..

Within 30 seconds my water temp DROPS 2 bars... If i turn the heater back off.. it stays low.. I have to come to a complete stop for almost 2 minutes in order for it to go back to regular temperature...

This cannot be good. Extra engine wear due to too low temps (things not expanding) ?

I figure that my car prob had an overheating problem, and this ghey dealer basically stuck the thermostat "open" (or whatever valve controls water to the radiator) and so its always open and never has a chance to heat up at all, and will get cold really fast on cold days..


Any idea as to what i could do? Ive never replaced a thermostat or delt with radiators except for flushing before so gimmie some ideas here!

 

just replace your thermostat. it isnt very hard, you need to pull a few belts and use some hand tools. if you dont feel like messing with it we can take care of it for you. it will probably take about an hour for us to do.

 

FYI, I was running strictly Redline Water Wetter and H20 mix and on cold mornings, it would be hard to get up to temp. I since then added coolant to help thwart oxidation and keep the H20 from freezing. It retains heat longer vs water and has higher boiling temp.

When you turn the heater fan off, be sure to move the temp slider to the cold side as coolant is sent to the heater core if the slider is on the hot side.

Jesse

 

the temp drop h appens on the highway even if i dont use the heater at all on the highway..

 

Its easy on the KA, right there near the top and front. Inexpensive as well.

 

install a thermostat. easy fix.

 

thermostats on the KA's are inconsistant, KA's have a rep of being temperature sensative...especially mine.

 

problem here is
A: no hand tools worth a damn
B: no time
C: if i messed anything up it'd be a tow to tampa......... I'm prone to having bad luck

 

All you have to do drain the radiator, disconnect the clamp on the line, disconnect the line, and then unbolt the housing. Its pretty straight forward, 10mm sockets I beleive, cant remember for sure. Then place the ney gasket and some rtv on there, install thermostat and bolt back in place. Its not too terrible.

 

sounds simple