Thermostat Diagnosis Thermostat Installed
                    
Step 
 | Action 
 | Value(s) 
 | Yes 
 | No 
 | 
NOTE: The temperature stick is a pencil-like device that has a wax material
containing  certain chemicals which melt at a given temperature. Use the temperature
sticks  to determine a thermostat's operating temperature by rubbing 87°C
(188°F)  and 97°C (206°F) sticks on the coolant outlet. The marks
made by the sticks should melt when coolant temperatures reach 87°C (188°F)
and  97°C (206°F), respectively. These temperatures are the normal
operating  range of the thermostat. 
 | 
1 
 | 
- Remove the radiator cap.
 
- Rub a 87°C (188°F) J 24731 
on the coolant outlet.
 
- Warm up the engine at fast idle.
 
- Check for coolant flow before the mark begins to melt.
 
 
Is there coolant flow before the mark melts? 
 | -- 
 | 
Go to Step 2
          
 | 
Go to Step 3
          
 | 
2 
 | The
problem is caused from something other than the thermostat. Refer to
Engine Overheating 
. 
Does the engine warm up properly? 
 | -- 
 | -- 
 | System OK 
 | 
3 
 | 
- Replace the thermostat. Refer to 
Engine Coolant Thermostat Replacement 
.
 
- Check the system.
 
 
Is the engine still overheating? 
 | -- 
 | -- 
 | System OK 
 | 
                            Thermostat Diagnosis Thermostat Removed
                    
Thermostat Testing Procedure
- Check the operation of the thermostat by hanging the thermostat
on a hook in a 33% glycol solution.
 
In order to check if the thermostat valve is opening properly, do the
following test:
- Completely submerge the thermostat in a glycol solution. The solution
should be 11°C (22°F) above the temperature indicated on the thermostat
 valve.
 
- Thoroughly agitate the solution. Under these conditions, the thermostat
valve should open.
 
In order to check if the thermostat valve is closing properly, do the
following test:
- Completely submerge the thermostat in a glycol solution. The solution
should be 6°C (10°F) below the temperature indicated on the thermostat
 valve.
 
- Thoroughly agitate the solution. Under these conditions, the thermostat
valve should close completely.