Temperature reading low when driving

[HJ2]

Turbotimer is no bad idea indeed!

[GeoffSmith]

It's on the list........

[Lotus54]

I thought the 180 WAS stock...
Is that not correct and I should have a 195f? (90c)

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Yep: 195F (90C) is correct.

Sorry, 180F is what everyone here says, but I had a 195F stat in mine when I replaced it.

Most US cars went to 195F stats in the '80s when fuel injection and fuel regulations became common.

[GeoffSmith]

Stock thermostat is 82°C or 180°F.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

You are right. I ordered the 195 from RockAuto because they listed it as correct and that was what was in my car.

I didn't question it because in the mid '80s everyone in the US went to 195F stats because the fuel injection and EPA required it.

Even MGs went to warmer stats to get their emission levels down and the cars off choke quicker. Jags with EFI would soot up if a 180F stat was used.

Has anyone looked at the ECU map to see what the temp threshold is to go into closed circuit? Since it is a GM system, I didn't even give it another thought.

[tigerdog]

It's on the list........

So when will you tickle an 555 timer IC and reed relay module we can splice into the ground wire? That and a momentary switch on the dash are all we need, eh? If I only had a brain, I'd knock one together myself.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

It's on the list........

So when will you tickle an 555 timer IC and reed relay module we can splice into the ground wire? That and a momentary switch on the dash are all we need, eh? If I only had a brain, I'd knock one together myself.

Actually, a micro is easier and cleaner. ATTinys and a 40 amp relay are only a couple of bucks. It could look for the key off feed for the pump AND the temperature sensor and run the fan relay until the temp has dropped or the key has turned on which will then run the fans as normal.

[Lotus54]

I got it fixed.

Checked the thermostat, working perfectly.
But when I removed it, looks like it slipped down a bit when I installed it.
I put a dab of RTV on the thermo to make sure it didn't move.

Now it stays at the 1/4 when running, just over 1/2 when the fans come on.

So just me being an idiot!

The stat that was original must not have been in correctly either.

Mark

[inkitin]

So just me being an idiot!

I think not. All of us have been there at one time or another.

As the saying goes, people who've never made a mistake have never done anything.

[Lotus54]

I did a scan this morning, stays between 80 and 89 pretty consistently now.

I do have what seems to be a miss under hard throttle, perhaps coolant overflow onto the coils.
I know I got significant amount of coolant on them when making sure the thermo was opening, getting air out and checking temp. I guess I should have just closed the darn cap and ran it, let it cool a bit and check.

Calculated power is down significantly, I'll check plugs, bae timing again etc.
I'm sure due for a fuel filter also.

Mark

[mmatthej1]

This subject seems to have gone 'cool', possibly as we (in UK, at least) move into cooler conditions! This brings me to ask a related question: do sufferers of ' Temperature reading low when driving ' find that the heater output is poor, in terms of insufficient heat in Winter?

I've put the heater to max. hot on a couple of recent top-down runs, for benefit of wife alongside, but have to say that output on my car seems poor (only warm , not hot), to the extent that I think Winter will require hood-up at all times - not my favourite!

Subject to any comments, I may replace the thermostat - is this a simple 3-bolts out job, as it appears to be? How about the 'stat itself; is this a specialist Lotus item or will I be able to get one from the likes of Halfords?

[rip]

but have to say that output on my car seems poor (only warm , not hot), to the extent that I think Winter will require hood-up at all times - not my favourite!

I've never found my heater anything better than ok. Seat heaters make much more difference

Subject to any comments, I may replace the thermostat - is this a simple 3-bolts out job, as it appears to be? How about the 'stat itself; is this a specialist Lotus item or will I be able to get one from the likes of Halfords?

All in the parts cross-rference section

[dapinky]

Having driven mine as a 'daily' for 5 years, I can attest to the fact that Mrs P doesn't like me driving hood down in the freezing fog with snow on the ground as the heater never gets really toastie. (even with hats and scarves, I was feeling a tad chilly when we got to the pub!)

Choices are to keep the hood up, or wrap up warmer - I don't think the heater is designed for full UK winter top-down driving

[JonT]

Having driven mine as a 'daily' for 5 years, I can attest to the fact that Mrs P doesn't like me driving hood down in the freezing fog with snow on the ground as the heater never gets really toastie. (even with hats and scarves, I was feeling a tad chilly when we got to the pub!)

Choices are to keep the hood up, or wrap up warmer - I don't think the heater is designed for full UK winter top-down driving

I find the heater works much better when you peddle the car a bit harder. Although trying to do that on snowy roads in freezing fog sounds like a challenge

[DeeAitch]

I fitted an 88 deg stat a few years ago -Halfords HTK600, thread on here somewhere? Heater is much better, not exactly toastie but combined with seat heaters gets me through the Winter !
I am reliably informed that the ECM has maps right up to - and probably beyond - the fan switching temp so fueling is OK.

[mmatthej1]

Many thanks for all comments & advice - I happened to be in at my local Lotus specialist yesterday and he immediately pointed to a thermostat failure, as cause of poor heater output. He reckons that gauge needle should normally sit around the first mark (ie not rest at the lowest mark, as mine currently does); also said that failure in the 'open' position is not at all unusual.

So I've now bought an 88C 'stat from Halfors (QTH102), so will have a go at fitting this soonest - will report outcome!

[mmatthej1]

Yep, success! Temp. gauge now reads a steady position up at first mark and there is some reasonable output from heater!

Again, thanks for all advice & comments, getting me to this better situation, ready for winter.