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Well the problems started when i was towing a trailer and i noticed temperature hand creeping up near 12o clock position. Once I had finished towing it behaved as normal. A week later head gasket failed completely so I pulled the head off got it skimmed,ground in the valves and fitted new headgasket. I also fitted new thermostat and water pump and spare rad cap I had from a toyota(same pressure of 0.9bar).She started first turn,inside heater was warm after ten minutes idling and she was perfect then i took her for a run and the hand went up again she gets really hot and fills expansion bottle. Only old cooling components left are the rad,matrix and cooling fan. I removed grill and rad is hot at the top after an inch down its completely cool apart from a small hot spot around the oil cooler pipe inlet,and bottom hose completely cold
So my thoughts are either my new thermostat is faulty (been known to happen), Rad is partially blocked (I filled with caustic soda and flushed twice) or cooling fan isnt working properly (although I can feel noticeable drag when fan is at room temp) So what do you guys reckon?
well guys i done a sniff test
well guys i done a sniff test and no exhaust gasses present. i reckon its the thermostat as bottom pipe wil not get hot even after a run with temp rising. both caps are faulty (i.e original and spare i had,while squeezing top hose air can be heard coming through rad to expansion bottle pipe) going to remove stat and give her a run tmora.
Long reach thermostat.
You need a long reach thermostat. A typical auto thermostat is no good in a Sporty. Must be correct type and for a Sportrak.
Incidently have you checked if the water pump is working?
Thermostat is the same as
Thermostat is the same as original with shroud on it.original is opening very near boiling point though, I didny have a thermometer to check exact temp,84 degrees is marked on it. Water pump is a new item workin grand water in top of rad surges while i rev and matrix is giving off good heat. I'v got a fair few pics of the whole process but i have'nt yet figured out how to upload them. Surely if viscous fan was operating as it should it would provide adequate cooling for towing,I dont plan to tow too much any way so i mightnt change to electric. I wilL update later after i hav tested the stat.
Pulled out the thermostat
Pulled out the thermostat there to check it it is operating but even at a higher temp than the original kettle is fully boiled before it opens. Took her a run then and she never boiled quite the opposite she never got hot at all temp hand never moved. and no great heat inside even after a journey of 4 miles. might try original stat now and see how she goes. This must mean its a thermostat related problem, what yis reckon?
Jiggle.
You must fit the thermostat with the jiggle topmost. Otherwise an air blockage stops it opening and the coolant in the block overheats. The jiggle lets the air escape into the block so the coolant contacts the thermostat.
I would get a new thermostst rather than fit the old. The cost is offset by the work. The correct type is much longer so reaching much further into the block then standard types used in cars. [If you have used a short thermostst this could be your overheating problem]
Thermostat
European - opens 76Centigrade to 80C
Valve lift - 8.8mm at higher than 91C
General - opens 82Centigrade to 86C
Valve lift - 8.5mm at higher than 98C
Radiator cap .... 73.6 to 103.0 kPa
Improvement
Indeed I fitted it with pin at top, however i noted the position it was in before i removed it and jiggle pin was rotated slightly clockwise, so i fitted it like that. Refilled with water and took her a run with good results, also I drilled a small hole (2mm) beside jiggle pin to allow more flow. this is the type of stat http://art.rexbo.net/gates/jpg/200/th29478g1.jpg
Must buy some petrol and take her a good long spin on sunday.
Year of manufacture
I suggest you check the year of manufacture of your Sporty with the thermostat type. I recollect Sporties from 1989 onwards were fitted with shorter thermostats. What year was your Sporty manufactured?
You could email Daihatsu for their specification.
Tbh I`d look at your
Tbh I`d look at your radiator, these are the exchange between hot water and cold air.
Next would be the Viscous fan, they are supposed to engage when at temp to expell more heat. BUT they often fail, and tbh your beter off replacing it with an electric one, you will need to fit a water temp switch in the water pipe.
Tbh if your doing a lot of towing I`d suggest that anyways, as your speed will be slower and your engine will be working hard, and the airflow won`t be enough.
Mud makes excellent Toothpaste.