Hi !

So I'm the owner of a volvo 245 with a B20A engine and a M40 gearbox.

Since in europe the temperatures a getting below freezing, I ordered a new thermostat (quality brand). The thermostat is rated at 88°C.
Until now, the thermostat installed in the car was modified to be always open.

So, I installed the new thermostat, put the expension thank as high as possible and started the car. Meanwhile I was pressing on both radiator hoses.

My problem: the car is getting hot very fast. I know the thermostat opens because I tested it in boiling water and it was fine.

If I drive the car, I have hot air in the cabin. But the needle of the temp gauge is always in the hot area.

The top hose of the rad is hot but the liquid in the expension thank is cold. The lower radiator hose is also cold (same for the radiator)

To be honest, I don't know what's wrong... Radiator blocked ? Bad/old coolant ?Before the car was working fine with the open thermostat. Maybe the coolant temp sensor is bad but it's not normal to have only one hose that is hot.

Thanks for your inputs because I'm a bit lost :)

Regards from Switzerland.
Nanan