I drive 10 minutes to work in 40 degree weather every morning and my temperature gauge doesn't move past C for the first few minutes upon startup. It will eventually reach between C and the normal operating range. My lower radiator hose is cool to the touch. If my thermostat wereto be stuck open, would the lower radiator hose be warm/hot after driving for 10 minutes? What are some other symptoms, if any, for my temperature gauge malfunctioning?

TIA
mike


Modified by Mikey at 6:51 PM 1/7/2005

 

if the thermostat was stuck open, it would just take a long time to warm up, but it'd be normal after that. the thermostat just keeps the fluid in the engine so it warms up. it only stays closed to let the engine warm up then it opens fully, so once you are warmed up, it's like having no thermostat anyway.

it's pretty rare for gauges to go bad, but it can happen. I'd look at the temp sensor before the gauge. and the lower hose should be cooler than the upper hose, but I don't think it should be "cool". hot water flows in to the top of the radiator and gets cooled on the way down, but it's still pretty damn warm.

maybe it's just because it's winter?

 

Thank you for the reply.

 

Sounds like a bad t-stat.

 

Mine does that too, your T-stat is stuck open. Time for a new one.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by notstock93 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Mine does that too, your T-stat is stuck open. Time for a new one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If the thermostat were to be stuck open, would the temperature gauge indicate normal operation after driving around? In addition, wouldn't the lower radiator hose be warm/hot if the thermostat was allowing coolant to pass through it?

I'm not doubting that you read my post, but my gauge never reads normal and my lower radiator hose is 'cool'.

 

It would read normal if the weather wasn't very cold. Its VERY cold here in MO and mine never fully warms up. I have no idea about the lower radiator hose, though. All other symptoms match that of a stuck t-stat. I believe they are 11 bucks at the dealership (last time I heard)

In my case, the simple act of cold air moving over the engine at highway speeds will cool down the car. It sucks.