Hi guys, I’ve had the car about a week or so now and have done about 80 miles. In that time, the temperature readout gauge stays pointing between 6 o’clock and 4 o’clock. On all other cars I’ve had they tend to sit bang in the middle. Is my thermostat goosed? The heater does blow warm/hot but it’s not ‘melt bone’ hot if you know what I mean.
Would appreciate your thoughts.
Once warmed up, it should stay at about 4 o’clock.
The gauge in the picture at the top of the thread which is viewable via the link below illustrates exactly where the needle should be on the NC, when the engine’s warm. Mine always sits at exactly that position when warmed up & it doesn’t fluctuate.
Yeah it’s definitely lower than that, it normally just above total bottom. Broken thermostat then?
Cars of that age up to about late 2007 have thermostat issues after a good while, not them all.
It is difficult to get at the thermostat.
Make sure of two other issues while you are in there.
They need the antifreeze changed after 11 years. If that has not been done and you do not have proof that it was done, get it done.
Examine the neck of the plastic expansion bottle as they tend to crack and can let go and dump the coolant.
The coolant gauge is a waste of time and will not give an early indication of a cracked bottle neck until the cylinder head is warped. Circa £60 for the bottle.
Bet you are happy to get all that good info!!!
No thanks for the info. I’ll get in touch with the closest specialist for them to have a look.
MX5PARTS stock the thermostat, two different sizes VIN number dependant on which one you need. Can be fitted easy enough just a bit of disassembly to do with the throttle body and associated connections. A bit fiddly to get to the stat bolts but if you can weild a spanner then you should be ok.
Tip…
Buy the Mahle stat, a fraction of the price of the one mentioned above, it’s the longer neck one but all you do is trim the connecting hose around 25mm. Mine gave up and I fitted the Mahle, back to proper heat in the cabin the gauge stays rock solid at midway point. Opie oils or eBay both do the stat mentioned.
I also changed mine with a mahle unit ( 2006 2.0l non sport). I had already changed the coolant… Yes it is a bit fiddly but doable on the drive. I didn’t have to trim any pipework.
Guage sits happily at the correct position now and heater is great.
Thanks for the help guys, really appreciate it.
After 20 mins drive this is where it got to…
Take it down the motorway or dual carriage way if its’ stuck open in this weather it will drop down going at cruising speed…
Mine needs doing spend more time talking about it then doing it.
