EpicCow

Hi guys!

I just got my timing belt, water pump and thermostat changed at a workshop. The reason for my thermostat being changed is that the car didn't reach normal temperature (It stayed at 1/3). Still, after this the car does NOT reach the correct temperature.

However, first they forgot to fill upp the coolant properly, but now they fixed it they say. Can this be the problem? Too much anti freeze?

If not, any recommendations on how to proceed?

Thanks in advance!

jbpnoman

1/3 roughly is normal temperature. It shouldn't be sitting at the halfway mark, if that's what you're expecting.

Did your shop use a new, OEM thermostat, or some parts store generic "OEM-like" thermostat?

EpicCow

Thank you for your reply! Well, it isn't really at the 1/3rd mark either, I know it should go higher than it is now. Especially as it's friggin hot outside.

The thermostat costed 50$, no idea if OEM or not.

jbpnoman

Considering the temperatures an engine reaches, ambient temperature doesn't have much (if any) effect on where the needle goes. Maybe a quarter of a mark, if that - barely noticeable, if at all.

Ask the shop if they used a genuine Honda thermostat. If they didn't, you can get one off Majestic for ~$17 plus shipping. Well worth the money - non-Honda thermostats are well known for not working properly.

For what it's worth, there's no harm in the engine running a bit on the cool side. You won't get expected gas mileage, but it shouldn't cause any actual harm.

mubane

hey wait, there is something wrong there, is your fan connected to act full time?
i've used my car without the thermostat, but because the fan only kicks when its necessary, the temp gauge runs right below the water mark in the dash(^^). it only went down if i was going downhill, or in heavy rain. the only remarkable difference is that it took long to reach the normal temp idling in the garage at the morning.
i did that for a month wile i was looking for an OEM thermostat

warriorautotech

aftermarket stat is fine, factory gauges are not necassarily accurate and they definitely arent linear. have someone check the temp at the water outlet with a temp gun or read the engine temp on a scan tool, should be around 180 t 200, will go as high as 220 in traffic.