95 T-5R not warming up while driving, will warm up at idle

WhiteX · Post by **WhiteX** » 11 Nov 2013, 13:04

Weird issue here guys.

1995 T-5R. It won't warm up while driving for some reason. It gets to about ~145-155F and it will not go past that. I have confirmed this temperature with a OBDII scanner and a laser thermometer on the aluminum coolant elbow on the top of the block.

If the car sits and idles, it will get fully warm.

I have replaced the thermostat twice (total of 3 different thermostats) and all of which have done nothing.

I would have thought it was a coolant temp sensor issue, but the laser thermometer reading on the aluminum coolant elbow pretty much confirmed the cars dash coolant temp reading and the OBDII reading. I also made sure to let the car sit and confirm with the laser thermometer that the elbow got up to temperature in correlation with the dash gauge and OBDII readout.

Any big bits of advice here? I don't truly know where to go with this. I was thinking I may unplug the radiator fans and see if for some reason they're kicking on during driving.

help!

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Nov 2013, 17:07

What kind of thermostat has it been replaced with?

Is the fan running when it's sitting there idling?

WhiteX · Post by **WhiteX** » 11 Nov 2013, 17:11

jblackburn wrote:What kind of thermostat has it been replaced with?

Is the fan running when it's sitting there idling?

First tstat was an oem Volvo. Second was a "OEM replacement" from Autozone (non-duralast). Third was a duralast. None were the "fail safe" kind.

And no, its not on.

Post by **rspi** » 11 Nov 2013, 21:45

Put a Whaler in it. Maybe the Volvo t-stat was bad. Also, get a 90 C degree stat.

http://www.ipdusa.com/products/5342/103 ... eplacement

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 11 Nov 2013, 23:58

Did this just start? What's the ambient temperature where you are?

I had a long theory typed out but it sounded too weird even for me, so I'll just cut to the chase... could the thermostat be installed upside down? The coil spring part should face down into the engine block. I don't remember if its possible to install it backwards in the Volvo.

Post by **rspi** » 12 Nov 2013, 08:08

Not possible.

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 12 Nov 2013, 12:01

rspi wrote:Not possible.

"Another beautiful theory blown to hell by an ugly fact."
-Calvin and Hobbs

WhiteX · Post by **WhiteX** » 12 Nov 2013, 12:11

instarx wrote:Did this just start? What's the ambient temperature where you are?

I had a long theory typed out but it sounded too weird even for me, so I'll just cut to the chase... could the thermostat be installed upside down? The coil spring part should face down into the engine block. I don't remember if its possible to install it backwards in the Volvo.

No the issue has been prevalent since I started driving the car. I bought it for $1100 and it needed a ton of work, therefore it sat for a year. After doing the dreaded "stage 0" work the issue remained.

I started driving it in late August (90F+ degree days) and the engine temp was still 145-165. Temp is now below 30F regularly but the engine temp remains similar.

I will be ordering this shortly: https://www.amazon.com/Stant-48639-XACTS ... B001FDEJHQ apparently its a repackaged Whaler.

drkaeppel · Post by **drkaeppel** » 14 Nov 2013, 07:24

I actually have this same issue with my S70 Non turbo, but it really only happens when its cold outside. During the summer, it hits operating temp in less than 10 minutes, typically. Since it got cold this week, I can drive my car for 30 minutes on the highway and the temp gauge only warms up to the 5 o' clock position. If I park the car and let it idle, it will slowly hit operating temperature.

Maybe the thermostat is stuck in the open position? I haven't bothered to swap it with a new one yet.

Post by **jblackburn** » 14 Nov 2013, 07:35

drkaeppel wrote:I actually have this same issue with my S70 Non turbo, but it really only happens when its cold outside. During the summer, it hits operating temp in less than 10 minutes, typically. Since it got cold this week, I can drive my car for 30 minutes on the highway and the temp gauge only warms up to the 5 o' clock position. If I park the car and let it idle, it will slowly hit operating temperature.

Maybe the thermostat is stuck in the open position? I haven't bothered to swap it with a new one yet.

That sounds like a bad thermostat. Shouldn't even take 10 min to hit operating temp.

Honestly, so does the original poster, but not sure why his issues are continuing. The thermostat shouldn't be sticking open even if put in backwards; however the arrow on top of the thermostat for flow direction and jiggle valve should be facing the front bumper of the car.

(picture of one installed BACKWARDS)