Engine Temp

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Nov 2009, 08:24

So, I've got a question about something I've noticed recently.

Someone else had a similar question over on Brickboard, and I wanted to hear some more opinions before I start thinking anything's wrong.

I'll start off with the picture!

I left home at 7:40 (still haven't bothered to change my clock yet

), so this is after about 16 minutes of driving.

My car warms up to the point where the heater comes on in about maybe a mile in the mornings and warms up just fine...even when it's really cold, so I'm thinking the thermostat is opening & shutting properly. A large part of my drive to work is tooling along on roads at 35-55 mph; mostly big downhills or flat straight stretches, so the engine never has to work very hard. During the morning (it was 45 this morning) I never really notice my temp gauge get much over 1/4. It runs about the same out on the highway, doing ~70 mph and not working very hard. Around town stop-and-go driving, climbing back up hills on the way home, or even just this summer, it always ran at exactly 3 o' clock on the gauge.

So I guess my question is...does anyone else's car ever run kinda cool? Is this normal, or do I have a bad thermostat or temp sensor and should look into replacing them?

Post by **firekiller75** » 13 Nov 2009, 08:28

Gotta figure it's not normal. That being said, mine does the exact same thing! 40 degrees this morning, and the entire 35 miles highway of my commute, the temp read low, while the 10 miles of city driving it was half way. I assumed my thermostat was stuck open, just haven't opened up the system yet to see.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 13 Nov 2009, 08:40

I would replace both the thermostat and engine coolant temp sensor (OEM!). That should clear up any problems. While you're at it, might as well flush the coolant and give everything a fresh start.

Post by **confused_al** » 13 Nov 2009, 08:44

jablackburn wrote:Is this normal, or do I have a bad thermostat or temp sensor and should look into replacing them?

No, its not normal, very likely your t-stat is not working properly (only way to confirm that is to take it out and check). If your ECT is kinda old or still original its always good idea to replace it as well.

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Nov 2009, 09:32

Cool, thanks everyone.

Between that and a busted spring seat, it sounds like I may have a valid excuse to avoid the kitchen over Thanksgiving

Japedo · Post by **Japedo** » 13 Nov 2009, 15:07

jablackburn wrote:Cool, thanks everyone.

Between that and a busted spring seat, it sounds like I may have a valid excuse to avoid the kitchen over Thanksgiving

Thats the spirit!

V70Johnson · Post by **V70Johnson** » 14 Nov 2009, 07:16

ecbsykes wrote:I would replace both the thermostat and engine coolant temp sensor (OEM!). That should clear up any problems. While you're at it, might as well flush the coolant and give everything a fresh start.

+1!!!

Post by **jblackburn** » 23 Nov 2009, 19:54

Sure enough, it waited until I was halfway into my 5 hour trip today to decide it was broken. The culprit? Coolant temp sensor, of course. Guess everyone was right!

Stupid car.

Post by **jblackburn** » 23 Nov 2009, 23:57

Is THIS the coolant temp sensor?

http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exec/p ... ure+Sensor

http://www.ipdusa.com/version.asp?strPa ... &V_ID=2735

Is it the same for a '98 as a '99-2000? On FCP's site, I see one for 850's and a 99-2000 S70, but not for a 98??? I would think it's the same between years, but just want to double-check before I order it. Anybody know?