Thermostat Sticking!!!

[KiaRoad]

Hey All,

I have my '01 Spectra in the Dealer for the 3rd time in one year for a sticking thermostat. I have been stranded twice and had it nearly blow up in stop and go traffic this past occurance.

Is this normal? I have been looking around the boards and there seems to be a common theme of this problem. If so, I will take it back and get something that will not die on a regular basis. The last thing I need is to have the motor blow, stranding my family.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated. I am going to see the dealer tonight after work.

Thanks,
KiaRoad

[TEXKIATECH]

if you are talking about trading it in it might not be a bad idea as i believe kia offers a customer loyalty program for people who buy another kia but i dont not know that for a fact, but also they do have some good rebates going on right now so thats just my opinion.

[ron1004]

Originally Posted by KiaRoad

Hey All,

I have my '01 Spectra in the Dealer for the 3rd time in one year for a sticking thermostat. I have been stranded twice and had it nearly blow up in stop and go traffic this past occurance.

Is this normal? I have been looking around the boards and there seems to be a common theme of this problem. If so, I will take it back and get something that will not die on a regular basis. The last thing I need is to have the motor blow, stranding my family.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated. I am going to see the dealer tonight after work.

Thanks,
KiaRoad

If you're experiencing overheating only in stop go traffic, then it's more likely the cooling fan or it's thermal switch that's at fault.

If the cars general condition is good, then I'd save the expense of replacing it, but rather get to the bottom of the problem.

[KiaRoad]

The thermostat sticks at random. At anywhere, any time of day or season. It has started happening more often. I can get it to "unstick" by pushing in the clutch and reving the motor high. The temp gauge drops immediately.

The Dealer cannot find anything wrong with the car whatsoever. Says it is in perfect condition. I can only get $2000 in trade because they cannot sell it on their lot due to a "potential" problem. It would go to auction.

Could it be something other than the thermostat? I am wondering if there might be something floating around in the coolant that plugs up the plumbing somewhere. When I rev the motor, the junk is pushed through. Coolant flush maybe?

The car is great for an econobox.