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Re: how can i tell if my thermostat is stuck open? (porn8069)

A quick way to check:
When first starting the car (in the morning), let it idle so it starts to warm up. Touch the upper radiator hose, and verify that it is getting warm. Now touch the lower one... if the lower is getting just as warm then your t-stat is stuck open. This should all be done within the 1st five minutes or so when we know for sure the t-stat is NOT SUPPOSE to be open. Hope this makes sense.
 

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Re: how can i tell if my thermostat is stuck open? (porn8069)

yeah - you will find that it 'overcools' on the motor-way. Cos the thermostat isnt shutting to stop really cold water from getting to the engine from the radiator - and so it cant maintain a constant temp.
Jules
 

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Re: how can i tell if my thermostat is stuck open? (porn8069)

quote:[HR][/HR]so i am assuming its stuck open, because it takes forever to warm up and the heat is eh. thanks for the responses.[HR][/HR]​
Depends on how you're trying to warm it up. Your "heat is eh" comment makes me think this
is a different problem. If you let it sit and idle on a cold winter morning, then it will take forever to
warm up. Stop doing that. It's bad for the engine. The proper way to do it, is start the car, give it about 15-20
seconds to build oil pressure and drive away. It'll warm up 10 times as fast. If after you've driven it for a while
and the temp guage rises to 190 and then stays right there, then your thermostat
is working properly. If it's cold out and your thermostat is stuck open you won't
ever reach 190.
ian



[Modified by Daemon42, 1:21 AM 2-9-2002]
 

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Re: how can i tell if my thermostat is stuck open? (Daemon42)

quote:[HR][/HR]so i am assuming its stuck open, because it takes forever to warm up and the heat is eh. thanks for the responses.
Depends on how you're trying to warm it up. Your "heat is eh" comment makes me think this
is a different problem. If you let it sit and idle on a cold winter morning, then it will take forever to
warm up. Stop doing that. It's bad for the engine. The proper way to do it, is start the car, give it about 15-20
seconds to build oil pressure and drive away. It'll warm up 10 times as fast. If after you've driven it for a while
and the temp guage rises to 190 and then stays right there, then your thermostat
is working properly. If it's cold out and your thermostat is stuck open you won't
ever reach 190.
ian

[Modified by Daemon42, 1:21 AM 2-9-2002][HR][/HR]​
miine was stuck open the other day
i did a coolant flush, and something must have gotten caught in there
the temp went up like normal till i got on the freeway
then it was down to about 160 on the freeway
stop ata light and it goes right back up
those would be the symptoms
i liked it better with it stuck open
car pulls harder when its cold (vr6T)
 

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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Re: how can i tell if my thermostat is stuck open? (Daemon42)

quote:[HR][/HR]Depends on how you're trying to warm it up. Your "heat is eh" comment makes me think this
is a different problem. If you let it sit and idle on a cold winter morning, then it will take forever to
warm up. [HR][/HR]​
nope, i just usueally turn it on, wipe off the snow, and hop in and drive, usually about 30s worth of sitting. the main reason i notice this is that it does take forever to warm up and on the highway i never see temps above 160..ever...
 
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