Kevin,
The thermostats I've used had a little hole in the plate which would let a small amout of liquid to move at all times, but more important, a air/steam could move through quickly. Even we the thermostat's "closed", it's not really airtight.

Given the size of the hole in the T stat is small to build a signifigant pressure the radiator would need to have a greater restriction, basicly need to be plugged solid or close to it.

If that were the case no cooling would be avialible from the radiator and a total overheat would occur with any signifigant driving.

Kevin

Aw shucks guys .... I'm bettin' it's head gasket time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> .... there is goo in the old radiator cap that just wasn't there a few days ago ....... A buddy of mine has a chemical analizer for checking antifreeze for exhuast blowby ... I'll have him check me out tommorrow.

I didn't even bother changin' the thermostat, gasket and cap this evening ... the GOO stopped me cold .... time to go to the house <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Damn, I was really hoping my Monty would get me thru the winter without any major work needed .... at least past Christmas .... Oh well ... such is life. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Head gasket is not major work for the 2.6...it routine <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Should I have the head milled flat ??? Anything else I should know ... tricks - tips or anything regarding this job ?

The previous owner told me that the head gasket was replaced about a year or so ago .... I just bought my rig this past August ... this kindof tells me that either whomever did the job last time did poor work .... or that replacing the head gasket on these 2.6L's is really routine .... what can I do to assure a lasting job ?

Too bad I gotta have this thing to drive this winter ... cause I was planning to pull the engine in the spring for a complete overhaul anyways .... or maybe even a cool transplant (was thinking one of my Fiero 2.8 HO V6's with a S-10 tranny and transfer case).

If the engine is not kept REALLY COOL, the heads tend to warp slightly, and then you pop head gaskets easily.

If the head's been over-heated a few times it will likely be warped, and until that's corrected, you'll pop head gaskets easily.

If the engine has been overheated many times, it's possible the block's upper surface is no longer flat, and the block will need to be "decked", or levelled, or else you'll pop head gaskets easily.

Get the hint??

These 2.6's really, really need temp control, and that means a well maintained healthy rad, cooling fan, thermostat, coolant, etc, etc. Once the gaskets start going, the only real fix is to fix the problem, and that usually means block decked, heads shaved (or replaced), replacement rad, etc.
Then they're fine.

Hope it's not as serious as it could be............

Well OK ... no evidense of exhuast gas in the coolant ... and that's good !!! (still not sure about the goo in the old cap ???) So I went ahead and changed out the thermostat and cap .... filled it up with coolant and went for a drive ........ dog-gone it if the cap didn't blow off the overflow !!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

I got to messing around with the overflow inlet and drain tubes and the drain tube felt really hard ... pulled it off and tried to blow thru it .... it was plugged up tight ! It had what looked like a mud-dauber nest in the end of it .... I cut about 4" off the end ... filled the Montys radiator again .... went for a drive ....... NO PROBLEMS !!!!!! still no leaks ... has good idle ... temp gauge reads at half .... good heat (real good heat) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Whew .... I think that maybe I can relax for a bit .... here's to hopin' the Monty makes it thru till spring and time to get my Fiero back out <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Believe me, I said the same thing about two weeks ago <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />.