TheSamba.com :: View topic - Don't do what I did during an engine rebuild

Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:43 am

So I'm rebuilding my 1967 Beetle engine. I get to the installation of the thermostat that controls the opening and closing of the vanes inside the fan shroud. To check if the thermostat is working, I put it near a heater in my garage. I get distracted with the engine. Time goes by. I look back at the thermostat and it has expanded from about 1 inch to almost 12 inches. YIKES!!! It stretched so far out of shape that it never went back to its' original size. It was like when you stretch a spring too far. Take the advice of most mechanics, boil some water and place the thermostat near or in it. When you see it move, TAKE IT OUT!!!! IT IS WORKING!!

Good luck on your rebuild

Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:46 am

Happy new year. It is best to test it in the thermostat bracket so this does not happen. Casey

Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:27 am

Even better advice. Keep it in the bracket.

Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:34 am

Welcome to the samba.

We all get distracted from time to time. Hell I got distracted a few weeks ago and damn near burned down my car and house when I left a fuel line off a carb and started my engine :shock:

The up side is that you can still find thermo-stats in the classifieds and at swap meets. Just be careful with the next one.

Please post some pics of what you are working on.

Good Luck.

Mon Jan 02, 2017 4:23 pm

Yep you trashed that thermostat. Boiling water is for water cooled engines. Keep it in the thermostat bracket, use a blow drier on it carefully only to test it. Do not buy one that is expanded.

Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:07 pm

Gt's method is the best. A good thermostat will open very quickly, using a blow dryer set on high.

Tim

Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:44 pm

It'd be kinda fun to see a pic of that thermostat, actually: :arrow:

I've seen them over extended by an inch or two but never that far.