Drilling Thermostat?

[SPW]

I'm just about to fit a new thermostat (1.6 K) and have been told it's worth drilling a small hole in the stat to help bleeding the system. Is this worth doing?

 

Steve

[Steve T]

Steve

 

I did just that last weekend. Spent hours trying to bleed my system, thought I had a stuck 'stat after standing without coolant for 3 weeks, I ended up replacing 'stat and i drilled a single 3mm hole and the bleeding seemed much better afterwards. The old stat was working after testing it but i changed it anyway.

 

I would do it again if required.

 

Steve

 

Now with DVA Power! 191bhp and 150.9 lbft torque.

 

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[SPW]

Thanks Steve - sounds like it's worth doing!

[Kevsta]

Make sure it is a VERY small hole. Mine is slightly too big (I think mine is 2mm maybe...if cold outside temp then the small flow of water means the temp of engine is a little cool (circa 75 degrees).

[Mavic82]

A 1/16th is all you need.

 

Guy

[Rich N]

I also drilled the hole too big, and it never came up to temp in 0degree weather, ended up replacing it with a PRRT. Not very expensive and a simple install, best thing i've added (to the 1.8k I have, which I think might suffer heat extremes more than the 1.4 or 1.6?).

 

It is worth drilling the small hole to help with bleeding though.

 

Edited by - Rich N on 30 Apr 2010 09:53:19