slow warm-up

[datech]

You have to be careful about cardboard blocking the front, make sure it doesn't completely block all of the airflow.

Of course we don't know if the engine is really running cold, only that foresthawk says the gauge doesn't register heat. On a longer trip does it register cold?

What about the heater output? Many gauges are inaccurate or stick in cold weather.

Running cold does reduce fuel economy but it won't cause quick damage (like overheating could blow a head gasket). It would be preferable to pre-heat the engine or find out if the thermostat is working right.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
HE SAID 20 MILES NOT 20 MINUTES. It shouldn't take either one.


Doh!

 

[IndyIan]

Should be around 4 or 5 miles to get the dummy gauge to read normal even with the heat blasting on the highway.
My drive sends me up a couple hundred feet in the first 3 miles and that pretty much has the coolant hot enough to read normal.
If you are idling around at 25mph in stop and go traffic then it might take a bit longer, but never 20 miles.

 

[mjk]

Originally Posted By: javacontour

HE SAID 20 MILES NOT 20 MINUTES. It shouldn't take either one.


Yeah, even on my old 96 Camry will warm to full operating temperature within 5-6 miles of hwy driving. This, with the wicked MN cold, and a T-stat that I am assuming is the original.

 

[k24a4]

Even with our near zero overnight temps here the OBD II App (Torque) has my coolant temp up to 176 degrees within 5 minutes or a few miles. That is typically when I put the heat on and it blows warm enough air. The temp fluctuates anywhere from the high 170's to as much as 185 when the car is on the highway and fully up to temp. I was amazed at how quickly the coolant warms up even on the coldest days but should not be given combustion temperatures.

 

[RF Overlord]

The thermostat in my work truck (2001 GMC Safari van) failed a few years ago...of course it failed in December. Changing the 'stat in this van is not especially hard, but it is certainly not pleasant when temps are in the teens and I have to work outside, so I decided to try the cardboard trick temporarily. Didn't do squat...no matter how much I covered up the radiator, temp gauge stayed low...and it wasn't the gauge or the sender, as the heater would barely get warm. When I got around to replacing the 'stat a couple weeks later, everything was toasty.

 

[steve20]

Originally Posted By: k24a4
Even with our near zero overnight temps here the OBD II App (Torque) has my coolant temp up to 176 degrees within 5 minutes or a few miles. That is typically when I put the heat on and it blows warm enough air. The temp fluctuates anywhere from the high 170's to as much as 185 when the car is on the highway and fully up to temp. I was amazed at how quickly the coolant warms up even on the coldest days but should not be given combustion temperatures.


I get warm air when the coolant = 120 = fan on low till it warms up completely