Can Savara thermo be fixed?

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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mosu

Can Savara thermo be fixed?

Post by mosu »

Hi all,

My car runs cool (about 60 celsius) while driving and only reaches 90 degrees when idling for a couple of minutes. I have a Savara external thermo and I suspect that it is sticking open. Before I get raped with duties, shipping, etc to Canada for a new one, is there anything I can do to fix my existing one, or is it simply toast?

Anyone that knows a way to fix this puppy will be my hero. :)

Cheers all!
mbouse

Re: Can Savara thermo be fixed?

Post by mbouse »

can't answer your questions, but it sounds like it is stuck open.

are you in the toronto area? i am driving from Michigan, heading to Nobleton Ontario next week thursday. for the cost of an adult beverage, i will hand carry your replacement Thermometer across the geo-political boundry if you can get it delivered to my house before i take off.
mosu

Re: Can Savara thermo be fixed?

Post by mosu »

That would be simply awesome!

I happen to live in TO so that's amazing luck. Let's see if the other guys have any ideas but I have to buy one, I think IAP can do 2-day delivery to a US address via UPS.
So Cal Mark

Re: Can Savara thermo be fixed?

Post by So Cal Mark »

are you sure it's installed correctly? Start it with the rad cap off and the engine cold. If the water is circulating the stat is stuck open or installed incorrectly
mosu

Re: Can Savara thermo be fixed?

Post by mosu »

Yes, it's installed correctly - I double checked several times by looking at pics in another thread.

I'm fairly certain that it's stuck open, at least partially. Is there anything I can do to "unstick" it?
rlux4
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Your car is a: 1982 2000 Spider
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Re: Can Savara thermo be fixed?

Post by rlux4 »

The valve part of the stat slides on a shaft. If it's stuck it would be very difficult to smooth out that shaft. And even if it could be done, I'm sure it would be a very temporary fix. You're best bet is to go with a new stat, IMO, fwiw.
Ron
Ron Luxmore
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'82 2000 Spider: after 26 years between Spiders.
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manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Can Savara thermo be fixed?

Post by manoa matt »

You could take it out and check it in a pot of boiling water. With it out of the car and cold (closed), rinse it off and try to blow through the various hose ports. There should be one port that does not let air past (the one from the bottom rad hose). If you can blow air past all three holes then its stuck open and no need to test it in the pot of water.

I've got a few extra thermostats from parts cars and replacement jobs. Several of them seemed stuck open slightly when removed from the cars even after a couple of days. A few months to a year later I re-checked them and now they are shut tight. Got me stumped.
mosu

Re: Can Savara thermo be fixed?

Post by mosu »

Oh yea, it's definitely open then. I took it out last night and started running cold water through it and a steady stream came out no matter which hole I poured through. I guess that middle shaft is all gunked up or messed.
mbouse

Re: Can Savara thermo be fixed?

Post by mbouse »

o.k. if you need me to carry a spare part for my Spider in a new box from your selected supplier... i prefer Killians. I can get all the Molson i want if i venture a little closer to Detroit.

send me an email to:
mbouse AT chartermi DOT net

and we can work out the details.
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