Conference vmsnet::car$note:carbuffs

    Clifford performance can't do the header without the car.
    
    Superchips in florida however, makes a chip for the cheesy 2.2.
    Not to mention if I were to soup the thing up they can alter the
    code to make the computer run correctly based on what I've done.
    Or so they say.  For $75.  Standard chip is $150.
    
    MadMike

    
        Tubular Automotive (tubie-dicks) in Rockland Mass. usta do that
    stuff right on your car. Build a complete header system. Their work was
    awesome! If Clifford research ain't in your neighborhood, their request
    is unreasonable. Look in your area to see who's around. You might get
    lucky. After moving to colorado springs, I found a shop that was just
    like tubie-dicks back in mass. The problem is that he has no widespread
    reputation yet even though he does really pisser work.
    
    -john

    I replaced the thermostat last night in my Z24 wagon. It does run
    hotter now and I have more heat. The old one had nothing wrong with it
    that was apparent and I don't feel like boiling it to watch it work.
    
    The new one is funny though. As the car warms up driving on the highway
    the temp goes up - down -up - down continously kinda like the thing is
    working in a binary way. I have never seen a thermostat do this under
    constant driving.
    
    Steve

>>    The new one is funny though. As the car warms up driving on the highway
>>    the temp goes up - down -up - down continously kinda like the thing is

That's a sign of air in the cooling system.  Did you do a purge per the
manufacturer's instructions?

Jim

    
    Steve...for some silly reason Both our V6 cavaliers do the same thing
    after a thermostat change. These cars eat them on a seasonal basis,
    and always the same symptom Zero Heat!
       After a few heat/cool cycles the guage behaves normal.
    
    -john

    
    I don't have a shop manual for this car, however  I have NEVER had to
    purge air from a cooling system on the many vehicles I have changed
    thermostats in over the years. I lost about a cupfull of coolant doing
    this while up on ramps w/o draining the radiator so the air theory is
    somewhat suspect. I would also suspect that it eventually work the air
    to one place in the radiator and then to the overflow tank.
    
    Could be I suppose. All the 'old' rules have gone out the door with 
    the 'new' cars. For example, there is NO gasket on the gooseneck. The
    thermostat has a rubber 'tire' on the outer edge that seals the
    thermostat to the upper and lower housings, the interface and seal
    between the metal parts is of no consequence.
    
    
    Steve

It depends on the car.  Our Volvos will self-purge the air very nicely.  The
Renault and Hondas will not and need to be purged or you'll burn up the
engines.  That's why I said consult the manufacturer's instructions on
purging.

Jim

    It purged itself after a day or so. I kept my eye on the gauge and was
    prepared. There is a direct line (small) from the top of the thermo
    housing to the overflow tank so there apparently is no reason it would
    not self purge.
    
    Thanks everyone for the advise
    Steve

    Good grief, I just dropped my Cavalier on the ground after being up
    on jacks since last october.  With the HEAVY duty suspension, the
    nose is WAY UP IN THE AIR.  I am having my doubts about the engine
    and transmission being heavy enough to set the car down when I get
    everything back in.  The suspension is STIFF.  
    
    I should be scooting around town in a couple months.
   
    MadMike

    I just called my dealer (Dobles in Manchester NH) about getting an
    estimate for replacing the rear main seal on the engine as (worst case)
    I think that is what is leaking oil. Normally I probably wouldn't care
    that much, but it is starting to smell and I am concerned about a fire
    this summer due to it going back onto the Cat.
    
    They said that they would not do it due to the mileage 115k
    
    I guess I will get a local quote...
    
    Steve

I got the same answer many months ago. The reasons have to do with 
warrantee of the repair given the other parts that have 190K of
wear and tear may quickly damage the new seal.

Doug.

    I called McMulkin in Nashua and they said that they would do it.
    Actually, they believe that it is the intake manifold leaking. I guess
    that this is common. My older ones, with iron heads did not exhibit
    this problem. Still about as expensive as the main seal to fix...
    
    
    Steve