T-stat - overcooling question

Lug_n_trug · 01-19-2006, 10:23 AM

My thermostat is going and my engine (even on an 800k trip to timmins) is not reaching the middle (it's just below). I'm going to replace it and do a flush when I get back to ottawa, but I just want to make sure it won't do any harm driving it back (800k) to ottawa. I'm thinking I won't be able to get one in timmins. Thanks in advance.

Justin e36 · 01-19-2006, 10:25 AM

Yeah, sounds like the T-stat is stuck.
If the car only gets warm when driving, but not at idle, then fan clutch.

Don't push you car too hard during your trip, and you'll be OK.

**NickP** · 01-19-2006, 01:29 PM

By your post it sounds like the car never fully warms up?

When most newer thermostats fail; they fail open so the car never really warms up. You should be fine driving it like that; you just won't have heat and your mileage might be less that optimal.

3SERB · 01-19-2006, 08:36 PM

I have the exact same problem with my car. The temp rarely goes up to the middle its usually just below. Also i find that on the highway and with the heater working, it brings the temp to even cooler. Does the T stat just need a replacment??

jeffrie · 01-19-2006, 08:41 PM

Yep.

Lug_n_trug · 01-19-2006, 11:37 PM

Yet another part to be replaced. I knew it had to be replaced, just wanted to make sure I could drive it like that. I noticed I got not-so-good gas mileage on the way here, but I can live with that, my gf is paying the gas (we came here to pick up a car she bought)

Thanks for the help guys, T-stat is ordered.

M3ti Compact · 01-19-2006, 11:40 PM

Yea, thats happened to me. T-Stat failed- it was funny, I had to drive to Windsor and back with the crapped out t-stat when it was around -10 degrees.

I was getting no heat, so I would floor it for a few seconds to get some, but the faster I went, the cooler then engine got. I ended up taking out the plastic shroud that forces air into the rad and managed to get it 7/10's to normal. It ate a disrespectful 8.7L/100kms for that trip. I did the same trip when the thermostat was still good at 7.4L/100kms.

What's even funnier, when I took the thermostat out- it was jammed closed

3SERB · 01-20-2006, 02:32 AM

damn i was wondering why i was getting such bad mileage.

Furious · 01-20-2006, 03:10 AM

thankfully when a thermostat on our cars fail they usually fail open giving us the over cooling, if it were stuck closed man if your not carefull you can overheat in no time.

3SERB · 01-20-2006, 10:28 AM

So nothing really gets damaged when it does fail??

Justin e36 · 01-20-2006, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3SERB

So nothing really gets damaged when it does fail??

directly? no. but there is possible collateral damage from driving with a failed tstat.

3SERB · 01-20-2006, 06:29 PM

I see, and how come fuel efficienty is effected from a fail T stat??