Won't Warm Up At Idle

I have a 1994 Crown Vic LX that refuses to warm up to operating temperature, at an idle, on cold mornings. I can let it run for 20 minutes and the temperature gauge will just barely move off of the "cold" mark. However, when I start driving it, the temperature will come back up to normal. I talked to another Crown Vic owner, who has a 1993 model, and he said his does the same thing. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, were you able to do anything to correct it?

David H.

The thermostat is not sealing fully, which allows just enough coolant to leak past to keep it from warming up properly at low loads.

Please, save yourself a LOT of trouble, and replace the thermostat with a factory Ford/Motorcraft one, they are no more money, and FAR better quality than ANY of the aftermarket ones.

You can change the stat yourself if you have a 10mm socket, a wrench, and about 1/2 gallon of mixed coolant. You DO NOT have to drain the system at all, just remove the two bolts holding the radiator outlet to the engine (leave hose on outlet), pull it off, remove the stat, and o-ring, and replace. Reinstall outlet and top off with coolant.