thermostat bleed hole?

[Joel]

hey all,

I've got a new genuine subaru thermostat to go in my new engine sitting here and i've heard of a few people that drill bleed holes in their thermostats before installing

one of the blokes that worked at a vw place here in aus that specialises in subi conversions said they put 8mm - 5/16" holes in the thermostats to help bleed air and also help it equalise the temps

just want to see what works for other people



the main thing im worried about is cold shocks to my engine from the stat opening cos the engines hot and a big blast of cold from the radiator heading in

i've got a nice short heater bypass loop in place

my first engine bled really easy and kept reasonably consistant temps but to my amazement the when i pulled it down the 'stat had been given the full flow treatment

I'm sure im probably just being paranoid over nothing but if this new engine cooks on me as well i swear you'll see a grown man cry
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1974 1303 Germanlook Suba-Beetle
Subaru EJ254, BoostR 17", 4 Wheel discs, Topline suspension and A/C

[ElusiveStranger]

Foxtrot Oscar mate

Set up your cooling so it works properly, like Subaru intended and as they say "job's a good un"

You know it makes sense. Just bleed it and bleed it well. I'm sure Neil or Brad will help you out heaps

We need pictures of the new lump.
What is it?

If you need a hand you can pay the petrol money, I'll buy the beers and pizza

Chuffed to fcuk you've got a new donk, mate.
_________________
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
Bugger, missed out on "Live fast, die young"

[Joel]

i pick it up on monday

not exactly what i have now but dont get tooo excited

ill try the stock thermostat as is and just see how it goes
its got the little bleed hole with the rattle pin in it
if i have and probs bleeding it then ill start thinking bout drilling holes through it
_________________
1974 1303 Germanlook Suba-Beetle
Subaru EJ254, BoostR 17", 4 Wheel discs, Topline suspension and A/C

[doppelganger]

just bleed it properly
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vwdrc class rep




vwdrc AE bugjam winner
11.23@127mph. 1.47 60ft. 2.85sec 0-60mph

[Joel]

just as a quick follow up to this

i bought a genuine subi thermostat as the one in was an aftermarket jobbie and had the usual undersizing issue



i decided before hacking up my new thermostat by drilling a hole in it to just try it as is. it has a small 3mm-ish bleed hole with a rattle pin which bleeds the air out but cuts off the flow when the engines running

the old drilling the thermostat thread on avd has just reared it head again and i forgot how many ppl including a subi conversion place recommend putting an 8mm hole in it

as luck would have it i had no bleeding issues whatso ever with only the stock bleeder and i couldnt be happier with how the cooling system is working.

within 2kms of driving it gets up to the 78c that the 'stats rated to and just sits there
if i shut the car down i can come back an hour later fire it up and its still at temp

my old motor with the disabled 'stat took a good 5-10kms to get close to operating temp and even then varied with the weather conditionsand within 10 mins of shutting it down the temp had dropped right back
_________________
1974 1303 Germanlook Suba-Beetle
Subaru EJ254, BoostR 17", 4 Wheel discs, Topline suspension and A/C

[hansend23]

i tryed it after hours of r and d.then i finaly just made a good bypass and
header tank.now i just pour in coolent and i dont even have to bleed it.




it really does work well.no bleeding. the brass barb fitting on the crossover goes to the stat return, on top of the engine,i welded a fitting to it you see,then the bottom header line goes to the stat housing,well right before the stat housing.hope this helps!
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just do it!

[Joel]

yea mine has turned out to be a fill and drive setup to, no bleeding required

another thing that probably helps is i dont have a heater installed just a nice short bypass loop

dont need a heater round here, hell its currently 39C/102F outside and im thankfull i can jump in and drive without worrying about it getting hot like the old dak dak motors do
_________________
1974 1303 Germanlook Suba-Beetle
Subaru EJ254, BoostR 17", 4 Wheel discs, Topline suspension and A/C

[ElusiveStranger]

yeahbut.....
We get snow, yay!


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

[kkkango]

drilled a hole in my stat not for bleeding but to help the flow when the stat opens instead of trying to move standing water in the system causing a above stat temp rise then drop.