What is this part, what does it do?

Clawhammer · Post by **Clawhammer** » 05 Feb 2008, 07:21

Hello. I recently bought a 1996 850 GLT wagon with 68k miles on it. It is for my 16 year old son to drive. I also want him to learn some basic under the hood work. It needs a new thermostat so I plan to replace it this weekend but I just noticed a part that looks like a cover is missing. It sits on the firewall just under the hood and is a circular object maybe five inches across. I circled it in the image.

What is this thing? What does it do? Should it be flat with a long post in the middle, should it have a slightly rounded or bell shaped cover with a nut on it, is it fine the way it is? This is not an image of mine but one I found on the web. I will try to get a picture of it if necessary.

Jeff

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 05 Feb 2008, 08:13

That is the horn for the alarm system. The face should be open.

...Lee

Clawhammer · Post by **Clawhammer** » 05 Feb 2008, 10:48

Ozark Lee wrote:That is the horn for the alarm system. The face should be open.

...Lee

Thanks Lee. I guess I was alarmed for no reason...

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 05 Feb 2008, 12:46

guess I was alarmed for no reason...

LOL

By the way, if that picture is of your car you need to order up a new cap for the radiator expansion tank. The gray caps all fail. The new formulation of plastic is a greenish color and they seem to hold up just fine. FCP Groton has them for $5.00.

...Lee

Post by **JRL** » 05 Feb 2008, 13:12

Timing belt is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY overdue on time (7 years)

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 05 Feb 2008, 14:59

Agreed! Rubber deteriorates over time and the timing belt is made of rubber.

Clawhammer · Post by **Clawhammer** » 05 Feb 2008, 17:49

Ozark Lee wrote:
guess I was alarmed for no reason...
LOL

By the way, if that picture is of your car you need to order up a new cap for the radiator expansion tank.

...Lee

This isn't a picture of my car but I will check tomorrow...

Clawhammer · Post by **Clawhammer** » 05 Feb 2008, 17:50

JRL wrote:Timing belt is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY overdue on time (7 years)

Not to worry. I have all the records and it was changed at 49k. I thought it was early but maybe it was the years and not the miles that caused them to change it.

Jeff

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 05 Feb 2008, 18:07

Jeff,
Just keep up with the miles since it was changed. 7 years is max on these belts. The next change also needs the tensioner.

nctlspider · Post by **nctlspider** » 06 Feb 2008, 21:07

Guess you never owned a motorcycle

First thing i thought when i saw that in mine was....Oh someone moved the horn! But i mainly ride bikes and its been over a year since my last car.