Takes a long time to warm up.

[Jesda]

I went for a drive tonight and I had gone 5 miles at 60mph and it still wasnt at operating temperature. Is it time to replace my thermostat?

[Q45tech]

What was coolant temperature at crank and air temp during drive.At 32F it takes 5 minutes for mine to start to move off cold in neighborhood crank 4 stop signs then >45 mph.............don't worry until 10 minutes in mixed driving.

[sijoko]

As the factory thermostat ages, the rubber seal for the valve begins to break off leaving gaps for coolant to pass through continously.

This means the coolant gets past the thermostat even before it has reached the opening temps.

If the thermostat hasn't been done in a while, then I would start with that first.

[240doubledrive]

sorry to bring the thread back but I am having the same problem with mine only I just replaced my thermostat...? Its about 55 degrees out today and I had to let my car sit and idle in the garage for 15-20 min. Only then the temp gauge started moving off the C. Anyone know whats wrong?

[squeefoo]

sorry to bring the thread back but I am having the same problem with mine only I just replaced my thermostat...?

Is it in right? Fluid level? OEM or *other*?

...seems the OEM sensors and T-stats work best on these.I learned the hard way on a couple of things....not saying that's definitely it... yet...

[240doubledrive]

everything oem. Fluids are where they are suppose to be at. After you let it warm up for a while it runs great. Just doensn't warm up to the point where the thermostat opens. I know this because I have a stand alone system and the commander shows me 63 celsius. The cluster gauge is at half like it should be. The thermostat opens up at 76.5 celsius. Sound normal for the temperature outside? I'm thinking around summer time it will heat up a lot more.

[DrewQ45]

I went for a drive tonight and I had gone 5 miles at 60mph and it still wasnt at operating temperature. Is it time to replace my thermostat?

Yes... my car warms in a very short time now...

Get your read on... zerothread?id=168926

[CGB]

Jesda,

I had a similar problem with my 92, now with 200K. I noticed through out the years ( I have this car since 1995 ) that as time went by, it took a bit longer to get to fully warm. Mind you that I'm in my car everyday from 8 to 5 and I keep it in a heated garage. Last year, in one rare ocassion in this part of the country, the temps were about 90F and my temps, by the gauge, went up quite a bit.

I figured it was a fluke, as no leaks and all the fluids up to date.

Then, about two months ago, the original radiator developed a small leak.

So I went full hog and replaced: radiator and the foam pads, water pump, hoses, TSTAT and also the two steel pipes (anodes?) .The steel pipes were pretty nasty.

Long story short. My 92 now warms up fairly quick and gets to fully warm by the time I get to the freeway on ramp, 2.5 miles from my house.

In the other hand, my 95 with 100K, takes longer to get to fully warm.

I don't know if this will help your situation, but something that you might want to think about, due to the mileage of your car.

Mind you, this is my SOP (Seat of the pants) statement. I hope that you guys don't rake me over the coals about my post, since I don't have any technical data to provide, other than what it worked for me.

But, as a side note, I've been a "motorhead" since I had my 1956 IFA.If you know what an IFA is, then: "Your are a motorhead"

You guys are great, and your tips and posts have helped me to keep my Q's in good shape.

Thanks!

CGB

[Q45tech]

Change some of the coolant every year [simple rad drain of 3-4 quarts] flush change the entire [10 quarts] coolant every 3rd year. replace thermostat at that time every 3rd year.

The above should work well for most.