Diagnosis please

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

03-Dec-2003, 03:58 PM

babuto

Registered User

Thread Starter

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: toronto

Posts: 126

Diagnosis please

I warmed up my car last night before driving home because it was cold, no problems. When I got on the highway I noiced the temp. gauge falling steady to cold and the temp. dropping in my car. The vents are blowinng air but its not very hot. Once the car sits at idle I notice the temp. gauge coming back to hot. What can this be.

The rad
The heater core
The thermostat
I have no clue some help would be appreciated before it gets really cold.

Thanks.

03-Dec-2003, 04:00 PM

bbarbulo

-- site donator --

iTrader: (2)

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: not Toronto

Posts: 27,687

I'd go with thermostat stuck open

03-Dec-2003, 04:02 PM

babuto

Registered User

Thread Starter

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: toronto

Posts: 126

could it be that simple? I hope so

03-Dec-2003, 05:02 PM

bbarbulo

-- site donator --

iTrader: (2)

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: not Toronto

Posts: 27,687

having an engine too cool is usually a simple problem

the coolant continues to circulate through the rad and on the highway that is too much cooling for a motor.

03-Dec-2003, 05:06 PM

babuto

Registered User

Thread Starter

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: toronto

Posts: 126

Thank you very much for the help, I will get this done tomorrow.
I have an extra rad and heater core, so if that was the problem I was ready to install those but a thermostat is much easier to do, and would an OEM thermo be the best choice?

03-Dec-2003, 05:19 PM

Whiplash

Guest

Posts: n/a

you didn't say...is the rad full??

03-Dec-2003, 05:22 PM

babuto

Registered User

Thread Starter

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: toronto

Posts: 126

Not sure because I didn't check. Explain the differences please, I will check right now.

03-Dec-2003, 05:39 PM

babuto

Registered User

Thread Starter

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: toronto

Posts: 126

rad is full, but resivior is empty

03-Dec-2003, 06:08 PM

Whiplash

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally posted by babuto
Not sure because I didn't check. Explain the differences please, I will check right now.

air lock..
no water/freeze to carry heat to from engine..

03-Dec-2003, 06:25 PM

#10

j9chan

Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2003

Location: Waterloo / Toronto

Posts: 477

Isn't a cool running engine a good thing? People put in those race radiator caps to increasing cooling... so would a stuck thermostat be a good thing??

Just a silly idea...

03-Dec-2003, 06:50 PM

#11

babuto

Registered User

Thread Starter

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: toronto

Posts: 126

not if its 20 below and your freezing in your car! LOL

03-Dec-2003, 10:09 PM

#12

imported_Torrey

Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2002

Location: Stoney Creek, Ontario

Posts: 3,657

Quote:

Originally posted by j9chan
Isn't a cool running engine a good thing? People put in those race radiator caps to increasing cooling... so would a stuck thermostat be a good thing?? Just a silly idea...

Try thinking about this.....
Is redlining your car as soon as you turn it on a good thing?
Its cool then.... right?

03-Dec-2003, 10:49 PM

#13

imported_EH_94_Civic

Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2003

Location: the Hammer

Posts: 538

If you want to test your themostat

03-Dec-2003, 10:51 PM

#14

j9chan

Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2003

Location: Waterloo / Toronto

Posts: 477

Thanks! Like I said, it was a silly idea...

05-Dec-2003, 03:08 AM

#15

imported_Tony the Tiger

Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2002

Location: T.O.

Posts: 85

I run a restrictor plate instead of a thermostat in my Integra, and temperatures are steady at 60deg or so... The engine is less prone to heatsoak from my observations.

But for stock ECU's the VTEC is less likely to engage at low temperatures... If it's too cold, I believe VTEC will never engage.