My car i have just noticed that my 15 minute drive to work after i let my car warm up in the driveway for 10 minutes still isn't getting warm! The needle is still below the C.. I thought it was my distance in this cold michigan weather.
Well i drove up north this weekend end different speeds some stopping and going! and my car still didn't even hit the C in my temp gage! What should i check in my car to see what is wrong!
My car is running fine I just noticed this and with it being cold i can't get warm in my car! the heat just don't seem to be working either!
any ideas?
Thanks
2007-01-29 06:00:04 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Wow thanks for all that help! It hasn't gotten below 10degrees but it has been colder out the past few weeks!
But i do try to let the car warm up at least 10 minutes but even by the time i get to work still cold!
but the heat is heating up enough to keep it not too bad in the car. if i turn it off i can see my breath!
2007-01-29 06:14:37 · update #1
A few things...how cold is it where you are?
If winter conditions, your thermostat is stuck opens and should be replaced as soon as possible. This piece activates with the heat of engine to let the coolant in to cool the engine, staying closed to warm up the engine. get it? So, the next thing that should be happening is that your car will over heat and have less power. This piece costs less than $10. It can be replaced easily on most cars, or for less than $25 at a shop.
Hope it helps.
2007-01-29 06:10:36 · answer #1 · answered by Tony C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the thermostat is not functioning properly. it may be stuck full open and the water won't get hot since it is never allowed to stay in the block long enough. you may need to get a higher rated thermostat so it will open later. in some ares the rated stat for a vehicle from the manufacturer doesn't work as designed, but will be fine in a warmer climate. if uyour stat is a 195, try a 205. another trick is to place a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to decrees the amount of cold air going through the radiator. just don't cover it more than about half. if you've ever looked at some trucks, they use a screen or something to cover the radiator to help the engine keep warmer when driving in cold climates. it also helps keep their oil flowing better.
2007-01-29 06:12:05 · answer #2 · answered by de bossy one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My'63 buick would only warm if I blocked the radiator with cardboard in sub 20 * temps. Perfect thermostat operation was confirmed on multiple occasions yet heat remained elusive till airflow through radiator was severely restricted. Be very,very careful if you try this because a 15* rise in temps. can result in overheating very quickly. Be ready to undue this modification at the first sign of unusally high temp. readings.Velcro attachements allow easy changes.
2007-01-29 06:29:08 · answer #3 · answered by racer123 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two possible reasons I know. Your temp gauge is spoilt or your thermostat is bad. The thermostat valve is holds the water around the engine there till it is warmed up, then the valve opens to cool the engine down. If it is stuck on shut, you will get an overheat in hot weather. If it is stuck on open, you will get a car that refuses to warm up in winter because the water keeps getting cooled before it can warm up.
2007-01-29 06:10:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The thermostat in the engine is stuck. You didn't mention the type/model of car, but typically it's a fairly easy thing to change yourself or have a mechanic do it. Don't worry, it's not an atypical thing to happen...due to impurities in the radiator water and corrosion inside the engine, a thermostat eventually wears out and gets stuck open (as your case) or closed...and then needs changing.
2007-01-29 06:04:18 · answer #5 · answered by VodkaTonic 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if you have any water in your antifreeze, you might have a partially frozen radiator. in turn never allowing the thermostat to open to allow the heat up process.
open your radiator cap and ensure its green or red liquid and no frozen bits. if the weather is below zero, you should put a piece of cardboard over part of the radiator to keep it from freezing as well.
2007-01-29 06:03:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
if your radiator is not full it will blow cold air,check the water levels,if the water was frozen you car would grind to a halt as it would not operate the cooling system.also get the thermostat checked
2007-01-29 06:07:12 · answer #7 · answered by jagtic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first, take your car in to a good mechanic, and have them completely drain and flush the cooling sytem. after that have the check it out to see if maybe you need a themostat. if that doesnt solve your problem, then you might need a heater core, or a new radiator. good luck, hope its not too expensive for you!
2007-01-29 06:06:22 · answer #8 · answered by TK M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just replace your thermostat.You might lose a little anti-freeze when you do so be sure to use a 50/50mix when replacing any that is lost.
2007-01-29 06:11:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
before you leave the house turn the car on and let it run for about 15 min and it should be warm b ythe time you get in it
2007-01-29 06:08:48 · answer #10 · answered by nochickrun 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋