suddently running HOT--help me figure this out

[sb001]

Over the past couple weeks the only things I have done to my bug is change the oil (including the oil in the bath air cleaner) and install a new thermostat-- I had been running the car with no thermostat for the past few months due to the last t-stat failing several months back.
Before doing these two things, the car ran well with no real issues I can recall.
However after a short run into town to the store and gas station yesterday (probably 30 minutes total of run time) when i got back home I noticed the engine compartment is scorching hot- I could barely hold the pull handle on the deck lid, and didn't even try to touch anything in the engine bay as I knew it would be absolutely sizzling. I also could distinctly hear fuel boiling/ gurgling inside the carburetor.
The most obvious explanation of course is that the thermostat is installed wrong, where it is not pushing the cooling flaps open enough. I assure you this is NOT the case- after screwing the cold (totally compressed) t-stat onto the bottom of the pushod I made 100% sure the top of the mounting bracket was positioned just up against the top of the t-stat before tightening the mounting bolt. So I knew the t-stat could expand as much as possible (flaps would be wide open) before pulling the t-stat down into the bottom of the mounting bracket and securing it. It's very difficult for me to believe this has to do with the t-stat installation, but I am certainly prepared to go back out there and remove it and see if it makes any difference.
Could there be anything related to the oil bath air cleaner that could cause this? I did have to remove it completely to clean it out and refill it, and while I had it out I cleaned out the top portion with gasoline (no kerosene present) and then blew it out with comrpessed air. I have no idea whether I got it all out of there though- not really sure how you're supposed to actually clean those completely out.
The car itself runs fine- just exceedingly hot.
_________________
I'm the humblest guy on this board.

1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor

[joey1320]

I don't see how the air cleaner would have anything to do with the temp issue so I would be looking into the thermostat.

Remove it.
Bench test it.
Test the flappers.
If good install it and test it on the engine too.
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**1971 Super Project
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[Max Welton]

Well since you have checked the flap position which is not rocket science then it could easily to be something else. If it's running the same I would say the timing probably hasn't changed. It could certainly be something else that has happened coincidentally such as something getting into.or blocking the fan.

Max
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1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[baldessariclan]

Maybe try removing thermostat altogether once again, and see if it runs cool like it did before?

Also recommend checking the cooling flaps (via linkage behind fan shroud) and make sure they’re moving freely. Plus make sure you have a good / tight spring on the flaps linkage. It’s what helps hold those cooling flaps wide open when thermostat is fully expanded (or if no thermostat at all).
_________________
1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[bluebus86]

Id check the thermostat flaps position when hot. checking it cold may not be helpful. So warm her up, keeping on eye on not letting her get too hot, once warmed up, check that the thermostat flap linkage has moved to the full cooling position.
Also check out the fan inlet for a rag or towel or such that may have got sucked in.
a cell phone camera can be useful to use to see back there.

Good Luck, keep us posted.
BUG ON! cooly of course!
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[Tim Donahoe]

Have you warmed up the engine, and with the engine still running, gone around to the back with a flashlight and checked to see that the thermostat is actually opening all the way when hot? Does the thermostat rod retract easily when you pull on it and let it go?

Also, I have a slightly different way of adjusting the thermostat. I don’t adjust the thermostat bracket so that the inner top of it touches the top of the thermostat. I just put the thermostat in the bracket, then push the thermostat up until it stops. Naturally, the thermostat bracket goes up with the thermostat. At this point, the thermostat, rod, and bracket are in the fully open position. Then, I tighten the nut that holds the thermostat bracket in this position, pull down on the thermostat and place it into the bottom of the bracket, and install its bolt.

This method insures that the bracket is positioned by the action of pushing up on the thermostat—the perfect, topmost position. No fiddling with lining up the bracket is required. The thermostat itself, while touching the inner topmost part of the bracket, during the pushing up process, accomplishes this position.

Tim
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Richard O'Brien

[goober]

Wrong, mis-calibrated or defective thermostat opening but opening at too high of a temperature?

[sb001]

Thanks for all the responses!

[Max Welton]

You could just heat the thermostat up with a hair dryer or a heat gun to check that everything moves as it should.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[VW_Jimbo]

[TDCTDI]

Check for plastic bag or shop rag in cooling fan.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[sb001]

[TDCTDI]

[sb001]

[TDCTDI]

Fuel companies will also alter their blends according to seasons.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[TDCTDI]

What you might be experiencing is the Non-ethanol, higher octane fuel might be burning hotter.

It might be worth switching back to the fuel that you were previously using before you start screwing with adjustments.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[bluebus86]

[joey1320]

[TDCTDI]

[VW_Jimbo]