Engine getting colder after warming it up? Normal?

[AG17CB7]

I can't seem to find the thread about the guy that said he had his temp guage reading cold. Anyway, my car heats up to the middle of the temp guage when I let it warm up but when I start driving for a mile or two,the temp guage reads that it's going cold. Now I don't know if my engine is getting cooler than it should because of the weather or if something wrong but it's not acting funny in any way. It doesn't throw a CEL so I'm just thinking it's the weather. The needle isn't going all the way to the "C" bar but it's close to the line. Any Suggestions?

[Leung]

i'd give your temp sensor a look, you'll find it on your tstat housing.

[AG17CB7]

i'd give your temp sensor a look, you'll find it on your tstat housing.

still rather new to cars >.< where is it located?

[ja23merz]

it should be right under your intake tube. follow your lower coolant tube from the radiator to the thermostat housing

[Leung]

you see that upper radiator hose? (when you're facing the car, its the big thick hose on the left coming from the radiator) just follow that back till it ends into the engine. you should see an electrical wire/plug coming from it.

that electrical plug is what you're aiming for. make sure it's plugged in snuggedly and isn't covered in oil or anything since i think it located not too far from the distributor which leaks oil after a while.


the lower radiator hose leads to the water pump.

[JohnD1079]

ya mine is like that too. I dunno it slowly starting to fix itself, so im just leaving it alone.

BTW i think i was the one that made that thread.

[AG17CB7]

just went out and checked it. it's looks and snugs fine. it's not a bad thing if it says it's running cold but it's not? either way i'm gonna look more into it.

[JohnD1079]

you could be running rich, wich brings down fuel ecomomym plus it could foul up ur plugs faster and all the emission crap.

[AG17CB7]

you could be running rich, wich brings down fuel ecomomym plus it could foul up ur plugs faster and all the emission crap.

damn. no good comes from that car on the week i get paid. any way to correct this problem?

[NAiL05]

you could be running rich, wich brings down fuel ecomomym plus it could foul up ur plugs faster and all the emission crap.

...Wrong. Anyway hows your coolant level? To me it sounds like a tstat stuck open.

[JohnD1079]

...Wrong. Anyway hows your coolant level? To me it sounds like a tstat stuck open.

Could you explain how i am wrong?

[NAiL05]

A rich condition will not allow coolant temp to drop. A cooler coolant charge will not let the engine be at operating temperature and become inefficient (which would be bad mileage and crap as you mentioned). The main thing is sludging of oil (too cold) which can cause emissions/viscosity issues. It can cause combustion issues also by not letting the mixture burn completely in the chamber (hence a rich mixture). Optimum temp of oil where its doing its job is 180-200 degrees. But since his temp gauge is dropping when he drives a rich condition could be an "after effect." Therefore he should be checking whats making his temp gauge go down and by the sound of it it is his thermostat stuck open. The t-stat opens and closes depending on temp and is an important apparatus to keep the engine at the proper temp.

[AG17CB7]

A rich condition will not allow coolant temp to drop. A cooler coolant charge will not let the engine be at operating temperature and become inefficient (which would be bad mileage and crap as you mentioned). The main thing is sludging of oil (too cold) which can cause emissions/viscosity issues. It can cause combustion issues also by not letting the mixture burn completely in the chamber (hence a rich mixture). Optimum temp of oil where its doing its job is 180-200 degrees. But since his temp gauge is dropping when he drives a rich condition could be an "after effect." Therefore he should be checking whats making his temp gauge go down and by the sound of it it is his thermostat stuck open. The t-stat opens and closes depending on temp and is an important apparatus to keep the engine at the proper temp.

Thanks. I check the coolant level and I do need to add some. I will recheck the wires etc right now and run it around the block a couple times to see if it changes any then get back to you all with results. Thanks once again!!

cb7tuner FTMFW!!

[JohnD1079]

A rich condition will not allow coolant temp to drop. A cooler coolant charge will not let the engine be at operating temperature and become inefficient (which would be bad mileage and crap as you mentioned). The main thing is sludging of oil (too cold) which can cause emissions/viscosity issues. It can cause combustion issues also by not letting the mixture burn completely in the chamber (hence a rich mixture). Optimum temp of oil where its doing its job is 180-200 degrees. But since his temp gauge is dropping when he drives a rich condition could be an "after effect." Therefore he should be checking whats making his temp gauge go down and by the sound of it it is his thermostat stuck open. The t-stat opens and closes depending on temp and is an important apparatus to keep the engine at the proper temp.

I didnt mean the engine running rich is causing the Temp to drop. Im saying running rich is gonna be a side affect of the engine running "cooler". All the stuff i mentioned is stuff thats happening bc of the temp being "lower", not causing it.

All i kno is that before mine barley even moved, now itll go up to middle at idle, and on the highway its getting to 1/8 sometime more, so i have a self fixing cb

[AG17CB7]

it's running normal now. of course i didnt drive it as long as i do everyday but we'll see what happens tomorrow