efp0wa Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Hey guys, When I first got the van running I had ran out of money so i used CAT ELC for coolant. Motor doesnt get hot enough now (can stick finger in coolant after an hours driving withut burns), thermostat is functioning well and cooling system is in good condition. Maybe the CAT ELC is doing a too good of a job. Fuel consumption is a bit too high aswell, could this be due to coolant not getting hot enough and thermostat not opening due to motor not heating up enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 thermostat is functioning... and thermostat not opening? You just said the thermostat is functioning well. Have you actually tested it? If it's jammed open the ecu will enrichen it / choke will never come off because the motor will never heat up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efp0wa Posted November 4, 2010 Author Share Posted November 4, 2010 Yes I have tested it. In a electric frying pan with water in it at work. Opens fine and closes fine. There is no ecu...no choke... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 replace the thermostat.. they are cheap as chips and it sounds like a very typical thermostat problem.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efp0wa Posted November 4, 2010 Author Share Posted November 4, 2010 It's in good working condition though, aswell as it being 180km old. I have tested it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 is it it the right temp thermostat? you can get from 160 - 200 degree farenheit thermostats that all look exactly the same.. I can assure you its not because you have some antifreeze in it that the engine is running cool. If the thermostat is functioning correctly it WILL not open until the liquid surrounding the thermostat gets up to the right tempreture - whether its plain water, water with antifreeeze, water with milk in it or oil in your cooling system.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 I wouldn't be surprised if the fuel consuption is the cause of the running too cold problem. A simple change in carb main jets on the Cortina engine would change the operating temprature by 10-15 degrees F. Also: plain water cools better than water plus 'antifreeze" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Also: plain water cools better than water plus 'antifreeze" Hmmm Was going to pull you up on that one but you are correct as far as heat transfer goes. Don't run a car with 100% water though. Antifreeze is also an Antiboil + corrosion inhibitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaMpylobacter Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 often they work, but seem to open at random. I've had a few do this too. I don't bother testing now. if I bother to remove the thermostat, it's only destination is the bin, sadly. my pajero had the same deal recently. never got past quarter on the gauge. they're meant to run about half way up. thermostat was opening way too early, although marked as the same temp as the replacement. picked up beter economy as a result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuel Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 make sure your timing it set correct, I think the engine runs cooler the more retarded the timing is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valiant Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Don't be tight. Buy a thermostat. All boiling it proves is that it opens, not at what temp. Do this before you touch anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock-Lee Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 boiling with a thermometer will tell you what temp and either way you know that as long as it opens before it boils its <100degrees. If it already has a basically brand new thermostat then it would be a pointless purchase. Phil, engines run hotter the more you retard them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemi Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 forthe sake of a $15 item i dont een test thermostats anymore , when they go somtimes they work somtimes they dont sometimes they open earlier tehn close later , gets all gay in your diagnosing face . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valiant Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Engines run hotter the more you retard them Yeah, good point, if it was running to hot. It runs cold though. You can't keep your pot of water at the same temp for long enough to know the point it opens. They always open just as the water boils. Its a good test if the engine is overheating to see if it opens at all. It sounds like a thermostat problem, Is the thermostat not sitting squarely in the housing, is it the wrong one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 My commage runs pretty bloody cold too actually, should probably slap a new thermostat in that and see if it makes a difference Nah... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Doesnt matter if its running slightly cooler. It's good. If it's running cold enough to make the motor think it's just started then that's a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 When it ran low on coolant (leak) I considered it overheating when the temp reached the halfway mark. Normally the needle will move up 1 notch, on a hot day with the AC on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaMpylobacter Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Doesnt matter if its running slightly cooler. It's good. not really. I'd rather run slightly hot than too cold tbh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efp0wa Posted November 4, 2010 Author Share Posted November 4, 2010 Agreed ^^^^^ I dont want it running slightly cooler, i want it running slightly warmer;Puts wear on engine plus i'm sure fuel consumption can go up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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