starting problems

[bobsho49]

I replaced my thermostat and the car will not run when it gets hot, was wondering if it is the ect sensor, touched the upper hose when running and the car stalls and will not run intill it gets kool, I am wondering if I am getting air in the intake and it could be my water pump starting too go.

took out the thermostat and got some milky white fluid looks like it was not getting fluid through the intake as it should have been green as I replaced the anti- freeze

 

[sperold]

Thermostats are troublesome on these cars.
Does it have the "giggle valve" (search some old threads for an explanation). This little hole allows air to burp out of the cooling system before the thermostat opens and it may never open unless it it "wet" with coolant. To make matters worse, your heat gauge sensor will not register until it is wet as well, so your gauge may be reading OK while you are overheating.
Concentrate on the thermostat and drill your own hole in the body if it doesn't have one.
Take it out and put in a *** of water on your stove and bring it to a boil. See what temperature it takes to have it open. Sometimes thermostats are bad right out of the box.

 

[rubydist]

I think sperold meant 'jiggle' valve, not 'giggle' valve, since no laughing gas was referred to.....

 

[Devin]

Will the car die when it is hot, or will it just not start? If it is the latter, then it is probably the fuel pump to blame. Check for fuel pressure or the sound of the fuel pump when it is hot, and see if it sounds the same as when it is cold.

To check the fuel pressure, just rent a tester at a parts counter and use the schrader valve.