car not heating up to normal temp.
#1
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: AZ
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
car not heating up to normal temp.
So most of the time my car drives near the cold end of the temp. gauge (on the solid line). I was wondering what I need to fix to correct this issue and bring it up to normal operating temperature. There is no CEL and the gauge is not broken. Any ideas?
#3
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Westbank BC
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
I see a lot of Hondas/Acuras with stuck thermostats. Do your car a favor and go to the acura dealer and buy an oem one. I think I paid $40 for mine. They are more expensive but they are built so much better. Also get the oem gasket too.
#4
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: smiths grove, ky, us
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
do what you want, but the $14 dollar ones from auto zone work great.
#6
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: coeur d alene, id, us
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
mine does the same thing. bought a new oem thermostat. didnt change anything dunno if somethings not working or if the water wetter product and a fluidyne radiator keeps it that cold
#7
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Westbank BC
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
I am in no way saying aftermarket thermostats don't work. They do. But from my experience they don't last as long. If you take the oem thermostat in one hand and the autozone in the other you will see the difference. The Honda one weighs much more and is built to last. I have seen aftermarket ones fail in as little as a few months or last the life of the car. I would just rather spend the $40 and feel a little more confident that it's good for a long time to come. I believe there are certain parts that should be oem or equivelant quality. This is one of them.
By all means go for the $14 one. I'm sure it will work. But when you really think about, we are working on Honda's, not Hyundai's.
By all means go for the $14 one. I'm sure it will work. But when you really think about, we are working on Honda's, not Hyundai's.
Trending Topics
#8
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CHICAGO USA
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#10
Honda-Tech Member
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
Why don't you just pop it out and check it before you go spending money on a theromostat. If its cold and open its bad. If not toss it in a pot of water with a thermomiter and heat the water and see what temp the thermostat opens. Should fully open between 180 and 190
#12
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CHICAGO USA
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
why the heck go thru all the hassle of taking the thermostat out and have to bleed the coolant system since you spill coolant? Toss in a new thermostat and call it a day.
#13
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: AZ
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
Well I replaced it with a new thermostat and its still not heating, it actually got cooler (according to temp gauge). Can it be the engine temp. sensor? But its not throwing any codes, so I'm confused.
#15
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
Tell you what. YOu might as well buy three from auto zone. Your lucky if you get a good one. I learned the hard way( Tstat stayed close, over heated, warped the head). Spend the money, and buy an OEM one.
#16
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
Check the coolant temperature, hot. Noncontact thermometer to shot hose temp, or stick an appropriate thermometer in the coolant. Sensors can go bad, as can any component.
#17
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
Are there other places to check for this issue?
#18
Old Fart
Join Date: May 2004
Location: kelowna, bc, canada
Posts: 26,173
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
I would be testing the engine coolant temp. to see what it actually is, as has been mentioned ECTS. [sensor] or temp. gauge can be bad.
If the thermostat is working it makes no difference what rad you have or if you use water wetter or not, and rad fan could be running full time, engine coolant will reach operating temperature.
Although I agree that OEM Honda parts are well made, they are also overpriced, more then 100% mark-up, I installed a $10 Nappa thermostat in my 94 Integra more then 7 years ago, still working fine, if I have to replace the Nappa one every 7-8 years, I'm OK with that. 94
If the thermostat is working it makes no difference what rad you have or if you use water wetter or not, and rad fan could be running full time, engine coolant will reach operating temperature.
Although I agree that OEM Honda parts are well made, they are also overpriced, more then 100% mark-up, I installed a $10 Nappa thermostat in my 94 Integra more then 7 years ago, still working fine, if I have to replace the Nappa one every 7-8 years, I'm OK with that. 94
#21
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
Ok, so this is what it looks like after a new oem tstat. It use to go much lower before, and after a new tstat, it's still not quite 'normal temp'? Please keep in mind, this is what the gauge looks like after 45min in So.Cal traffic.
#22
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
If the crank sensor is going bad it can cause a no start when hot condition. You would need a scan tool to make sure that was the problem You could buy one and put it in to see if is solves your problem The part number is 21020140 it costs about $25 US.
The Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) is located on the back of the engine block, below intake manifold. See picture below
The Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) is located on the back of the engine block, below intake manifold. See picture below
#24
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (3)
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
you need to compare the actual coolant temp vs what the coolant temp sending unit is saying, thats what will tell the gauge to display that. Normal tstats are 180 degrees, looks like your at about where 170 degrees would be if im not mistaken.
#25
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: AZ
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: car not heating up to normal temp.
If the crank sensor is going bad it can cause a no start when hot condition. You would need a scan tool to make sure that was the problem You could buy one and put it in to see if is solves your problem The part number is 21020140 it costs about $25 US.
The Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) is located on the back of the engine block, below intake manifold. See picture below
The Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) is located on the back of the engine block, below intake manifold. See picture below