603.970 (350 SDL)Thermostat Configuration Different than on CD-ROM?

[stephenson]

Got the new tstat ... reviewed CD-ROM for my engine... looks easy!

Opened hood ... doesn't look even close to the same. CD-ROM shows tstat housing on the front of the engine to the right of the waterpump. Mine has tstat housing (I think) flange just to the right (facing engine) of the number one injector with two sensor pickups located on top of housing - at least this is what I think it is ...

Can anyone confirm this prior to me unbolting and moving out?

Thanks!!

[Benzmac]

I think your thermosat housing may be the one in the lower corner with the lower radiator hose connected to it. It is round.

Check there.

[stephenson]

Well, Donnie, I am just a bit slow at reading diagrams.

After I seriously started looking for the tstat, I found it easily.

It is simply 90 degrees off from where I expected to find it ... it is on the left (facing the engine from the front) side and does indeed connect to the lower radiator hose.

Success story, though ... I replaced tstat and the viscous clutch and I am back 4.0 ... I tested the old tstat in heating water and watched it ... seemed to be OK, but don't know if that is a suitable test any longer, particularly with this tstat.

The car now warms up faster (my imagination?), stabilizes at 82-85C and moves up only in response to load and heat and a/c use ... all very predictably. I was unable today, in the hottest weather this year in WDC area (98F), to get it above 98C or so ... would not touch the 100C mark - which is the way it was before I worked on it a month ago.

Now, the question is: is a tstat more likely to fail while the coolant is drained? The only thing I did a month ago was replace the coolant pump and the viscous clutch (was the replacement viscous clutch the issue? ... probably not since the temp went up even while cruising at 75 mph and there is more than enough ram effect to keep it cool at that point, I think).

Anyway, thanks for your comment and help!