Had a very unusual thing happen with this car.  After doing 980kms into its running in process, the temp gauge started rising over the half way mark which is not normal.
suspected the thermostat was stuck closed, as it was displaying the typical symptoms of a stuffed thermostat, but had me scratching my head, as I had only replaced the thermostat 980km ago with a genuine toyota 3sgte one at time of rebuild.. they don't normally fail this early, I have had faulty unit in past but never a genuine one go on me.
 
Anyway, the next day (today) I pulled it down to investigate the problem.... sure enough the near new genuine unit was ceased closed... this now explains why the temp was high.


 
 
I was now not going to replace with another Toyota unit, so I purchased & installed a new Tridon High flow one.
Whilst at it, I went thru the whole cooling system again, & decided to replace the new but not as new radiator with a brand new full alloy one.  (previous new alloy radiator had plastic side tanks).


 
Old radiator with plastic side tanks.
 
 
New full alloy rad with allow side tanks.

 
Thermos installed

 
New rad installed, ready for bleeding.
 

 
 
Bleed the system up, pressure tested & all in once again perfect.
I will keep an eye on it over the next week or so, but WOW cars can definitely throw a spanner in the works, just when you think you have done everything correct, something can still catch you out.


 
Will test drive now for another 1000kms and monitor as I go.

Nice work!

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forgot to ask you today over the phone.....after we left your joint after yesterday's dramas do you have a brandname for the aftermakrket lsd on the car that is causing that chatter?

Hi Mike.
Could you do the "Jug of hot water ,thermometer" test on the Toyota one or is it obvious why it failed ?
Also what is "High Flow" about the Tridon ?  Does it open wider or larger diam. hole or just hype ?   Thanks.

Falcon
Hi Mike.
Could you do the "Jug of hot water ,thermometer" test on the Toyota one or is it obvious why it failed ?
Also what is "High Flow" about the Tridon ?  Does it open wider or larger diam. hole or just hype ?   Thanks.

Hi doug, yes it was definitely Thermostat issue, as i didn't put in the last aftermarket alloy radiator, i couldn't be sure that also wasnt part of the problem, hence why i also replaced with a good quality full alloy rad.
in regards to the tridon High flow unit, no difference other than 3sgte's call for a high flow thermostat. Not sure & didnt test if it opens wider than stock one either. It has the same specs, @ 82deg, 55mm in diameter.
I still have no idea why the toyota one failed. I suppose that's parts for u.

marin101
forgot to ask you today over the phone.....after we left your joint after yesterday's dramas do you have a brandname for the aftermakrket lsd on the car that is causing that chatter?

Hi Marin,
I personally didn't pull the gearbox down, so i have no idea what brand it is.
As u know, i have owned & still do, many mr2 s with stock & aftermarket lsd's I'm only suggesting it has an A/M lsd installed.
Reason why i say this, is it has the symptoms which is known as LSD chatter, as discussed with u, it's to do with the plate style clutch like lsd which needs oil between the plates, hence why after a couple tight slow turns, chatter goes away.
There are many 'friction modifiers' out there that can be used to reduce the 'chatter', but some say adding it can cause extra syncro wear. Google it or speak to professional trans guys, they would be able to explain way better than i can ☺.

Thanks Mike.
I would still like to know exactly what caused that Toyota thermostat to fail almost straight out of the box.
Would you like to post it to me or were you able to return it for warranty?
Regarding the plate type LSDs. It seems logical that if they are treated with "Friction Modifiers" to stop them chattering then although they may still work they may not work nearly as well as they are originally designed.

Falcon

Thanks Mike.

I would still like to know exactly what caused that Toyota thermostat to fail almost straight out of the box.

Would you like to post it to me or were you able to return it for warranty?

Regarding the plate type LSDs. It seems logical that if they are treated with "Friction Modifiers" to stop them chattering then although they may still work they may not work nearly as well as they are originally designed.

Yes...definitely would like to know how the new one failed.

Also would like to know if the new radiator fan will be wired with an internal switch or will be sent to an auto electrician to be done so it works automatically.


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marin101

Falcon

Thanks Mike.

I would still like to know exactly what caused that Toyota thermostat to fail almost straight out of the box.

Would you like to post it to me or were you able to return it for warranty?

Regarding the plate type LSDs. It seems logical that if they are treated with "Friction Modifiers" to stop them chattering then although they may still work they may not work nearly as well as they are originally designed.

Yes...definitely would like to know how the new one failed.

Also would like to know if the new radiator fan will be wired with an internal switch or will be sent to an auto electrician to be done so it works automatically.


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BTW, the rad fans are not new nor are they Aftermarket, they are the original thermos that come on mr's. 
Thermo fans will be wired directly up to a switch in the cabin, next to the fog light switch, as being an AM alloy radiator, it doesn't have the threaded point when the original temp sensor goes into.

Well... after pressure testing the cooling system, without any leaks, I have since driven car again over week end & to work this morning, done 300kms on new radiator & thermostat, all seem ok.... very paranoid ATM, so my eyes haven't left the temp gauge, hasn't moved past the half way mark.