Cold Rad after long time sitting

[michael]

Hi I have just got my Stag started for the first time in many years , She is running well , if a little fast but just needs the carbs sorting . I just drove her up and down the drive to loosen things off and then let her tick over . Temp went to halfway , when I put her back in the garage I checked for leaks slight dribble in the v that I knew about . But what bothered me was the Radiator was cold the top hose and bottom hose were also coldish . Do you think the thermostat had not had a chance to open or is it stuck ( which is my thought) after such a long time . Any help / advice would be great fully received. Thanks in advance.

[Mark S]

Half way is usually where my temp gauge sits. You could try running it for longer, but if the car has sat for many years, as part of the re-commissioning it would be a good idea to give the cooling system a flush, new antifreeze and new thermostat.

[barkerwilliams]

Did you have the cabin heater on hot and the cabin fan on full? It might have been enough to keep the thermostat closed.

Were the pipes to the cabin heater radiator hot?

Where was the temp gauge needle pointing? if upright'ish how long had it been at temperature, just or for many minutes. Just got to temp might indicate a short run time, if at temp for some time then the thermostat should have opened.

You might just have the coldest running Stag ever made.....

...then again possibly not!

Time to have another running test.

Alan

[michael]

I have put all new hoses and new antifreeze in her , not sure if the heater hoses got hot or not and the valve on the heater is stuck , and on the to do list . I’m hedging my bets the thermostat is stuck . Will run her for longer tomorrow and see Thankyou both for your thoughts.

[bullstarz]

When you say you drove it up and down your drive are we talking a normal paupers drive like the most of us or Downtown Abbey. Check theres no air locks and the pump is flowing coolant.

[jbuckl]

Does sound like thermostat.
L.D. Part will supply correct part.
fwiw I always like to test a suspect thermostat in a pan on the stove with a cooking / toffee thermometer or similar. A few cycles are needed to establish how it’s operating or sticking usually.
worthwhile as you cannot see the operation in situ.
a laser thermometer is useful for checking under bonnet temps too, but isn’t 100% on all surfaces.

[StagJonno]

With gauge showing halfway, this generally indicates around 90C. If it's been fitted with an 88C thermostat, this will only just be opening (think from starting to completely open is ~5C). As these values are so close and manufacturing tolerances a bit iffy, especially temp sender/ gauge mismatch, I'd run it again and let the temp gauge go up a bit further, then reassess.

[michael]

Thanks for the info , yes I think it’s the thermostat too . I well let it warn up more this time , and I have one of those thermometers so will try that . And no my drive isn’t Downton size unfortunately.

[michael]

Sorted , for now anyway , gave the thermostat housing A whack with a rubber mallet and it flowed . I will obviously change it out at some stage but for now it will do as I’m still working on her .