After doing Spoon Rad cap, thermostat and Mugen fan switch, started getting check engine light, reset the ECU twice and the light kept coming back after about two or three weeks time. Brought it in to the dealer and scanned as bad thermostat. Shop now tells me that it is related to the rad cap. Anybody have similar problems?

 

I have the Mugen stat, switch and cap without any problems. A friend of mine (TypeSH) has the Spoon stat, switch, and cap without any problems. Have you tried swapping the OEM pieces back one at a time?

 

Good idea, I'll start with the cap of course. I would guess that mixing of Spoon and Mugen parts have nothing to do with it, but I have heard crazier things.

 

I have the Spoon Radiator cap on, but no thermostat. No problems.

 

After thinking about it some more, I think your ECU may not like all the fluctuation in coolant temps. The Spoon thermostat and fan switch is set for lower temperatures than the Mugen versions. Using the Spoon stat with the Mugen switch is going to cause quite a bit more fluctuation than the ECU may expect with OEM units. For instance, when you are cruising down the highway, there may be enough air flow to bring the coolant temp all the way down, but at idle, the Mugen fan switch will turn the fan off before it gets down to what the stat is set for.

It's just a guess.

 

When this has occurred, ECU has tripped the CEL just after starting, at 1 bar. Whatever conditions are causing this have occurred at 2-3 week intervals. I may just get a spoon fan switch, as nobody with full mugen or spoon set has reported problems.

 

Just to add to the data, but I've got the Mugen mods and haven't had a problem. No MILs. I suspect Gernby's got it right. Good luck!

 

I know that one is cheaper than the other, but you should consider getting the Mugen stat instead of the Spoon switch. My friend has the Spoon versions, and they are actually too cold. His OEM radiator cannot keep the coolant temperature at the level that Spoon has designed them for, so his coolant temp constantly fluctuates between 2 & 3 bars. I doubt this is good for the engine. The Mugen items are designed for a slightly higher temperature, so the cooling system will have a better shot at keeping the temperature constant.

 

Thanks, I''ll be in the market for a new thermostat

 

Not to get off the topic, but I have been thinking about getting a Mugen setup, and was wondering if it was hard to get to the Stat or the switch, or I have never really looked for it.