OK what would black caked on/ burnt on stuff be on my thermostat and temp sender??? I have a feeling but want to be sure... I'll post a pic in a little while....Thanks Rick

 

If you had a blown head gasket in the past, it might be oil left over from that. Any cross mixing of oil and antifreeze is a bad sign. Hopefully it's either old, or not oil in the first place...
Keep us posted.

 

Well, there is no water in the oil.... and from what I can tell there is no oil in the water... I just bought this car at the beginning of the month... I just changed this thermostat about 2 weeks ago, along with the temp sender and temp sensor.... here is a pic.... and I don't have any of the normal symptoms of a blown head gasket... besides I think the temp gets to hot in traffic(doesn't over heat)

 

Try putting it back together without the thermostat. Make sure you have good coolant flow. If not, its time to change out the waterpump.

 

I'll have to try that next weekend... the 170 thermostat seems to keep the temp down some more... have to drive in the heat and see what it does... I hate my temp gauge ... that thing is way sensitive...

 

oh... does anyone know where to get that rubber oring that goes around the thermostat??? thanks Rick