thermostat/overheat question

[DSchultz325e]

okaaaay i just picked up an aftermarket thermostat from my favorite place (autozone) and installed it. only problem is, it didn't have the arrow to point which way was the top. i tried my best to compare the two and installed it. it still runs 3/4 temp. does the thermostat possibly being upside down have an adverse effect on the cooling or am i looking at replacing something else? EDIT: i haven't bled the system the second time (after letting the engine run)

[Fred]

Try bleeding the system with the heater on full blast a few times, then drive it and see how it runs.

[DSchultz325e]

ugh my stupid bleeder screw's edges are all rounded off. how effective is it to just leave the cap off the radiator and let it run?

[Jordan]

ugh my stupid bleeder screw's edges are all rounded off. how effective is it to just leave the cap off the radiator and let it run?

Vice grips, and completely not.

[DSchultz325e]

stupid bmp SHIT!!!

[Jordan]

How is this BMP's fault?

[DSchultz325e]

it's not, i am still venting about my warped bumper cover (but it's fixed now).

[DSchultz325e]

ok it's been bled 3 times. i'm going to go pick up a pizza and take the long way home and see how it goes...thanks guys.

[DSchultz325e]

Still running 3/4. I've checked to make sure the upper hose is pressurized and it is hotter than a mug. Are there any sensors or anything that could give a faulty reading? My car will read above normal operating temperature and I can still safely open the radiator cap before long. My OBC has also been reading external temperatures about 20-30 degrees above normal. I dont know if these are linked because when my OBC dims every now and then, my gauges drop to 0. TIA.

[DaN]

Most thermostats have a little hole on them that should be pointed to the top, or an arrow.
It may be hard to bleed if this isn't done. How's your fan clutch?

[DSchultz325e]

the air check valve or whatever it is...the one i bought didnt have one. fan clutch was replaced about 2 years ago when i had a booboo with another vehicle. it is a sachs, i believe, so i'm not sure if its still ok or not.