What could be the problem with this car ? The heater even at the hottest setting blows only warm air but?

Question

not even warm enough. Also, the engine takes a longer time than usual to warm up even after driving for a while. If left idling the temperature barely reaches 1/4. Could it be the thermostat (stuck open or something) ? Also, does a cooler than normal running engine consume more gas ? The car is a '90 Honda civic SW. Your answer is appreciated.

Answer 1

Yes a cold engine will lower your fuel economy. The obvious cause of slow warming is a thermostat stuck open. Low coolant will cause your heater to not operate but would also cause engine overheating. You state your temp gauge reads 1/4 so low coolant is not the problem. If there were poor coolant flow through the heater core then there would be poor coolant flow through the engine causing overheating. One thing to note is if your coolant level is very low, below the engine’s temperature sensor it will render it ineffective but since you state the gauge will indicate low then low coolant would not be the cause.

Answer 2

It's my guess that the thermostat is stuck open so the coolant flows around the engine before the engine has warmed up. the thermostat is supposed to close when engine cools down and only opens again when the engine has reached a certain temperature set by the thermostat

Answer 3

"Right, Thermostat!" If Engine Doesn't get up to Operating Temp. (175 to 190 Degrees) you Gas Mileage Suffers. NOTE; After you Replace the Thermostat Check or have the Complete Cooling System Checked in a Good Radiator Shop! (Any Possibilities for Overheating!)

Answer 4

first of all, what variety of motor vehicle?? it is maximum serious whilst asking a query and searching forward to an clever or usable answer. you've low coolant point. Is the radiator complete? no longer the coolant tank, the radiator itself. examine the radiator by using removing the cap whilst chilly (by no skill OPEN THE RADIATOR whilst THE ENGINE IS warm) and notice in case you will discover fluid in the radiator. Fill it as mandatory. once you fill the radiator and in the previous you placed the cap on, commence the vehicle and enable it idle. look on the radiator cap commencing up and notice in case you spot coolant pass (is the liquid purely "sitting" there or "rolling" or "moving") in the radiator with the engine chilly. in case you spot coolant pass whilst chilly, the thermostat is caught open. If low of coolant, the place is the leak, the place did the coolant circulate? Low coolant will reason the temp gauge and examine engine easy besides because of the fact the heater malfunction. you've a thermostat "caught open" this will additionally reason the low gauge examining, set the engine code and reason the heater to no longer artwork. it is the main probable fault. I purely had this top concern with my 2004 Trailblazer. you've a undesirable temp sensor yet it is somewhat no longer likely, because of the fact the Temp gauge and the ECM examine engine easy use 2 distinctive sensors in maximum purposes and the prospect of two sensors failing on an identical time is somewhat no longer likely. good success!

Answer 5

It sounds to me that your cooling system is working just fine. If your thermostat was stuck open your car would get hotter and not cool down at all. Some cars heaters work so well it will heat you out of them when others don`t work very well at all. Take the car in for a service check and have them look at the problem. This way you are assured of any problem that may exist.

Answer 6

It's not your heater core, since engine temp is not rising. Diesels run cooler but tiny gas engines run extremely hot. Gotta be your thermostat. Try removing it completely.

Answer 7

Could be thermostat, could be low on antifreeze/coolant. For the amount of temperature difference your talking about you wouldn't notice the differnce in gas consumoption.

Answer 8

my guess is a stuck open thermostat or low coolant level