Engine running cold

[rawn27]

Earlier I went out. I warmed the car up for 10 mins without any int. heat on. Then i turned the defroster on lowest setting and took off. when i got to the highway ( bout 3 mins ) my temp was at 40C (104F). The maximum the gauge hit while going bout 110km/h at -3c/-8 windchill (27F/18F windchill ) was 50C (122F). When I got off the highway and going 65km/h the temp went up to 55C (131F) It never went any higher then that.. same thing when I came back home temp went down to 50C on highway and back to 55C on city streets..

[ZiggyPA]

Your thermostat probably doesn't close properly. There is nothing much to it, it costs like $6 and you only need to unbolt couple of bolts of the thermostat housing.

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by rawn27

I'm in toronto. It's not as cold as I thought it was gonna be but still chilly right now at -3c/-8c windchill ( not sure if the windchill plays a factor here ) what's involved in replacing a thermostat and how much should it cost?
Thx for the info..

A higher quality Stant thermostat at Pepboys is about $7-8 if I recall. I just bought one a few months back.

Cost to install would be about 30 minutes of labor time. Most shops would try to find other things to tell you that you "must" have done to try to make more money on the job.

[ZiggyPA]

Originally Posted by imidazol97

A higher quality Stant thermostat at Pepboys is about $7-8 if I recall. I just bought one a few months back.

Cost to install would be about 30 minutes of labor time. Most shops would try to find other things to tell you that you "must" have done to try to make more money on the job.

What about the different seal rings and gaskets? http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...1&postcount=11

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by ZiggyPA

The thermostat housing of my 1991 base model is leaking a bit.
On Rockauto I see they offer no less than 7 thermostat seals and housing gaskets for the 1991 base of 5 different types.
So which one do I need, I am surprised to read the paper gasket isn't necessary (even though it seems to match the housing)?

I do not know about the pre 1993 models. I do know my 1993 had only the rubber seal. I was surprised because it was my first car that had the rubber seal and didn't use the paper gasket between the metal parts.

If yours is listed in Pepboy's book (or another part store) for just the rubber ring that the edge of the thermostat fits inside, go with that. Then if the metal parts leak, put on a paper gasket.

Does anyone else have a 1991.

[imidazol97]

Unless the temperature readout is wrong, your engine is running very cold and that's hurting gas mileage and polluting the oil.

I'd change the oil as well as get a new thermostat.

[rawn27]

I'm gonna go buy a thermostat tomrrow after work at partsource.. I rechecked my temp gauge readings tonite and they were the same as yesterday never got above 60C(140F).. I think the readings are correct because the int. heat is not even close to being as hot as it used to be on a cold day.. I'm curious as to how the oil is getting polluted by the engine running colder? Thx!