SOLVED: Where is my thermostat located? ('98 4.3 volvo, pic included!)

[randyo]

My temperature wont rise past 105 when on the water. I checked the gauge, its working fine-- I think the sensor is also working fine. Thermostat was recently "serviced/reseated" by mechanics so Im thinking they either installed it wrong or completely removed it. Can anyone point out where it is on the engine? Im thinking I need to remove the 4 hoses marked with blue dots and then undo the two bolts holding the piece marked with the green dot. It should be under that, right?<br /><br />I ordered a service manual couple days ago, hasnt gotten here yet. I ordered a temp gun, which I got yesterday but figured Id check this before getting back on the water w/ the gun. Let me know if you guys think I should just wait for the manual.<br /><br />Also, will a regular 160degree car thermostat + gasket work?<br /><br />

 

[elpaso]

Re: SOLVED: Where is my thermostat located? ('98 4.3 volvo, pic included!)

T-stat is in the themostat housing.<br />The green dot. <br /> Hoses come off easy if<br />you loosen clamps and spray a little WD 40<br />under hose.

 

[randyo]

Re: SOLVED: Where is my thermostat located? ('98 4.3 volvo, pic included!)

Great, thanks! Can I just go to an autoparts store and get a standard 160 thermostat? Is there a standard 160 thermostat or will they need more info?

 

[Don S]

Re: SOLVED: Where is my thermostat located? ('98 4.3 volvo, pic included!)

It would be best to get a marine (Volvo) thermostat since you are raw water cooled. If you had a closed cooling system any stat would work.

 

[randyo]

Re: SOLVED: Where is my thermostat located? ('98 4.3 volvo, pic included!)

Thanks, I will do that. I searched the web and it seems a regular auto thermostat isnt designed for the conditions a marine thermostat is (corrosion, etc). I'll definitely get a marine one.<br /><br />I would assume the temperature sensor would be in the thermostat housing also-- but I dont see it anywhere. Any suggestion on where else to look? Or it should be there, I might not see it until I take the whole thing apart?

 

[randyo]

Re: SOLVED: Where is my thermostat located? ('98 4.3 volvo, pic included!)

I take that back. I just looked more closely (and w/ a flashlight!) and I see that it is in the lower housing unit.

 

[randyo]

Re: SOLVED: Where is my thermostat located? ('98 4.3 volvo, pic included!)

So I got the housing off, and I see the thermostat. I cant seem to get it out though... Am I supposed to grab at it with a pair of pliars and pull as hard as I can? Most things I have read say "lift out the thermostat" I would be "prying it out", not lifting...<br /><br />Also, it seem that I would first have to forcefully remove an o-ring before the thermostat would come out--is that correct?<br /><br />After I undid the spring:<br />

<br /><br />Without the spring:<br />

 

[Don S]

Re: SOLVED: Where is my thermostat located? ('98 4.3 volvo, pic included!)

Yes, you have to remove the oring first, then remove the thermostat. Then put a new stat (with all the parts attached) back in and put in a new oring to hold the new stat in.

 

[randyo]

Re: SOLVED: Where is my thermostat located? ('98 4.3 volvo, pic included!)

Thanks! I was able to get the thermostat out and replaced it with a new one, with a new o-ring and a new gasket.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: SOLVED: Where is my thermostat located? ('98 4.3 volvo, pic included!)

Originally posted by randyo:<br /> Thermostat was recently "serviced/reseated" by mechanics

Just curious, but how long ago was this "recent", and what was the charge for a simple job like that, and then not even throw the old stat away and replace with a new one, that only cost a few bucks? That old one looks like a crusty mess to me.