Question about installing a new thermostat 95 Q45

[Walnuts]

I purchased a new OEM thermostat from Joe and plan on installing it this weekend in my '95 Q45. I have two simple questions: 1) RTV says it takes 24 hours to dry. Does this mean that I should install the new thermostat, torque the bolts and then wait 24 hours before using the car or will it cure with a running engine. 2) Is there any trick to bleeding the air out of the cooling system when refilling the coolant or is the Q designed so that the filler assembly is the highest point in the cooling system?

Any other helpful tips would be appreciated.

Thanks, Adam

[DAEDALUS]

The 24 hours is meant to be the dry cure period, with no coolant, but I've heard of folks lettting it set for only several hours. I wouldn't do it but I haven't heard any bad results yet either with less time. I turn the heat on full blast and rev the engine with the car warm to get the bubbles out. There's also a procedure in the manual to open the valve while parked.

[Q451990]

I think a few hours is fine for a cure on the RTV... 24 hours would be better, but not absolutely necessary. You also want to have the hose on hand that goes between the t-stat housing and metal pipe... I've had to cut it to get the hose off.

Heath

[elwesso]

As far as bleeding, if you flush like I did while the Tstat is in, it wil be all messed up when you put the Tstat back in...

Just drive gently for a little while while the heater is open, and if its foamy, just dump some more in.. Keep topping of for a while until its full again.....

I dont think I waited 24 hours, probably wouldnt be a bad idea but I didnt... Just enough so that its still not gooey.....

[nola]

My 1992 Q45 A seems like its overheating although the level doesnt go to the H I changed the radiator hose but the car seems to keep smelling like its overheating. If you think it may be the thermostat pleas tell me how to install the thermostat

[nola]

Q45 overheating whats the problem

[Jesda]

The thermostat is located under the decorative plastic inside a metal housing. Its behind the radiator and fan and just below (but in front of) the intake plenum.

Overheating has a lot of causes. Clogged radiator, bad caps, coolant/water combination, water pump, thermostat, etc.

I suggest doing a few searches on overheating first to help narrow down the cause of your problem.

[nola]

how could you tell if it is the thermostat. the dealer I took it to said it could be the thermostat I do alot of work on my Q is the thermostat something that I could change myself

[nola]

how can I tell if my thermostat is bad also I need details on how to replace my thermostat is it something I could do myself and how long should it approx takd

[elwesso]

T-stat is easy to replace.. Maybe 15-30 mins, just take off the hose and then replace take off the housing...

Its good practice to replace it but i think its probably more likely the radiator

[maxnix]

how can I tell if my thermostat is bad also I need details on how to replace my thermostat is it something I could do myself and how long should it approx takd

Take it out and suspend it in a pan of boiling water with a calibrated thermometer and dhck it's opneing and closing temperature.

Don't mention mileage, maintenance history, nor condition of coolant. If it is the original radiator and has been flushed religiously and used distilled water as the anti-freeze dilutant, chances are it's time to replace it.

Overheating is the easiest way to cause very expensive damage to the VH45DE. Don't drive it until it is fixed.

[Q45tech]

Q theromstats should be changed every 4 years 60k [to maintain as new precise operating curve] and the failure mode is usually the opposite of what most think............the car doesn't warm up as fast as it should..........due to the surround leaking around the valve.

[RobertsnewQ]

Yep - that's what failed on mine. The car wouldn't warm up (even in Los Angeles) until 5-10 miles of freeway driving. Good thing I didn't wait for winter!

A little note - An OEM thermostat from Joe is cheaper than Pep Boys, NAPA and Autozone (and exactly the same manufacturer, incidentally). Same goes for the hoses, which you should really do at the same time since you're there.

Oh, and on the RTV, nobody waits that long. Squish it on, wait for it to skim and install. Give it a rest while you wash your hands and then go for it. In the shop we'd do it in minutes but since I'm working on my own car I let it go for an hour or so before starting.

[nola]

I would love to replace the thermostat on my 1992Q45 a I need in detail what to do this would be my first time replacing a thermostat on a car so I need to know in detail what to do or is it best to have someone else work on it. I have the tools to do the work if someone would just let me know in detail how to do it. THANKS, NOLA

[maxnix]

Try zer...70395