thermostats heaters and air locks

johnboy268 · Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 8:48 am Post subject: thermostats heaters and air locks

1971 bay with 1991 2.2 legacy n/a as seen in completed conversions.

all going well , done about 1500 miles since completion with only a few minor hic-ups.
the latest hic-up..........
if i don't use the van for a few days, when i go out for the first time it gets hot and starts to over heat. i have worked out that the thermostat is not opening. i have to sit at the side of the road starting and turning off the engine for about 5 mins then the stat opens and alls well. if i then use the bus daily this problem does not happen, but if i leave it for two or three days it happens again.

it seems to me that whilst the stat is open i have no air lock, heater blows nice and hot and temp stays constant, fans come on correctly etc.
when the stat is closed i must have an air lock. where is the air coming from??
i have a bleed valve on my heater in front of bus which does seem to collect air...i.e it always needs bleeding. i have a couple of small drips and i mean small drips on the cooling system but they don't drip all the time, would they be sucking in air ???

the other minor hic up is my exhaust is getting louder!!!! not going to fix it though

cheers lads (and lasses?)
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71 bay/91 subaru 2.2 legacy n/a

my other half thinks im an anorak

ElusiveStranger · Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject:

What sort of header are you running? My money's on it not being a "flow through" ie auto bleed
Where's your rad?

Fancy doing us a pretty MS Paint style diagram?

The airlock is caused by vapor, very common. When you start up from cold the vapour is in the manifold., it's then pushed into the 'stat line. Pumps don't like pumping air
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The advice you receive on here is worth the paper it's written on.
Your experiences are worth shed loads to others, including the f'ups - live and learn.
Wouldn't YOU rather learn by someone else's mistakes? So would they.

'78 Bay, 2 litre 091 box, EJ20 NA & the ashtray's on the 'right' side.
I don't lean forward for hills any more Grin

Bugger, missed out on "Live fast, die young"

johnboy268 · Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 4:33 pm Post subject:

i'll try to do a diagram tonight. i have the rad underneath the bus.
i think i need to look at how other people have done theirs i reckon mine could be changed.
as you are only the other side of the water i don't suppose you are coming over to our local show tomorrow??
its not that big but it is in battlesbridge if you fancy a run out. i must admit i have only been once and that was a couple of years ago so don't know what it will be like but me and a few lads are going.
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71 bay/91 subaru 2.2 legacy n/a

my other half thinks im an anorak