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Longmont1302 Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2015 Posts: 324 Location: Longmont, CO
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Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:51 pm Post subject: Cleaning a Thermostat |
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I just received an old thermostat and bracket for my 71 Super Beetle which does not currently have one. When I use the heat gun to warm the thermostat, it expands, so I'm optimistic it will work. The bracket is a little rusty so I'm going to clean it up with a wire brush and some black paint.
The thermostat itself is grimy and I'd clean that up too, but I don't know if I should take any special precautions in doing so. Any suggestions for the best way to remove grime without damaging the thermostat? |
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mikewilkinson007 Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2016 Posts: 554 Location: Nebraska
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Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a Thermostat |
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First of all, DO NOT heat it up to expand it. If it is retracted then it is good. You can damage it by over expanding it while heating it.
As far as cleaning, I used a firm toothbrush and that green cleaner to get the oil gunk out of it. _________________ 72 Super - Marina Blue
1641 AH Dual Port
Dual Weber ICT 34's
Bosch 034
Long Gone: 70 Vert, 66, 68, 73SB, 70, 72, 61 Rag and a 64 with a cinder block in the spare tire well. |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51149 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: Cleaning a Thermostat |
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X2, do not heat it out of it's bracket.
Solvent or brake cleaner and a stiff brush, squeeze one side and brush in the opened up fins on the opposite side, work your way around. And no paint afterwards. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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Слава Україні! |
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DeathTrap Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2004 Posts: 1757 Location: Sacramento/Vermont
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Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 2:35 am Post subject: Re: Cleaning a Thermostat |
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It's a thermostat
ya think it would get hot where it resides?
put it in a big pot of boiling hot soapy water on the stove |
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Buggeee Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4419 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 5:20 am Post subject: Re: Cleaning a Thermostat |
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Sounds like the idea is to keep the thermostat in the bracket if it is warmed for cleaning or testing so the bracket stops it from expanding beyond its ordinary operating range, stressing or cracking the metal at the folds. I would imagine any warming would best be kept to the ordinary operating temperature range as well as it works by vaporizing a liquid chemical in there that creates pressure inside to expand the bellows. I picked up a dirty used one too in order to put back the system that had been deleted by some PO so this was a well timed thread. My bracket needs some paint but I won't get any on the thermostat bellows so nothing interferes with its precisely engineered temperature sensitivity. Thanks for the info. _________________ 1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764
SnowDaySyncro wrote: |
Every setback is an opportunity to learn stuff and to buy new tools. |
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68Bug-lite Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2005 Posts: 1087 Location: Tustin, CA
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Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 5:21 am Post subject: Re: Cleaning a Thermostat |
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DeathTrap wrote: |
It's a thermostat
ya think it would get hot where it resides?
put it in a big pot of boiling hot soapy water on the stove |
Only within the bracket so as to contain it's expansion; other wise the metal will fatigue when overly stretch and fail. |
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Longmont1302 Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2015 Posts: 324 Location: Longmont, CO
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Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 7:57 am Post subject: Re: Cleaning a Thermostat |
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Thanks to everyone for the feedback! |
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