Too Cool

[DAMNMYSHOTOHELL]

I know this has been covered before, but I think my problem might be different. My temp gauge stays either below the "normal" or just a bit into it. I dont see any other symptoms of thermostat failure: the heat works fine, etc. My fuel economy might be a little low, but not huge. Can any damage be done by leaving it the way it is? Is it definatly the thermostat? Any opinions/ answers would be appreciated.

 

[luigisho]

If you let it sit at idle and warm up will it get into the normal range?

 

[Oz]

bastard......................

 

[AutoSHO]

Pakisho:
bastard......................

Thats what I was thinking

 

[DAMNMYSHOTOHELL]

bastard? Whatever, just wanting my question answered. Probably another joke i dont get.

 

[93MTXSHO]

All they meant by bastard was that most other SHOs run anywhere from N-A when warm. They're just wishing theirs' ran where your's does. Your problem is most likely the temp sender. Just to the left of the thermostat. Mine went and was doing the same thing. 3.99 at Autozone. all it takes is a 6" extension and an 11/16 socket. Good luck

 

[DAMNMYSHOTOHELL]

aright, cool. anyone else got an opinion?

 

[Mr Anonymous]

DAMNMYSHOTOHELL:
aright, cool. anyone else got an opinion?

If your car is otherwise in good repair and the low fuel economy began at the same time the dash gauge started indicating cold, then your thermostat is probably stuck open. The heater is not a good indicator of t-stat condition since coolant flows through the heater core regardless of t-stat position.

 

[DAMNMYSHOTOHELL]

will it damage the car to leave it??

 

[Slo-Sho]

In the long run your catalytic converters will pay the price for you not replacing a $10 thermostat.

 

[96lt1]

ya know, my car does the same thing. i am lucky if my needle ever touches the l even. i wonder if my cats r clogged though, i dont think i have the performance i used to on the car. i am gettin tips put on tomorrow, will the exhaust shop be able to tell by lookin at it if they r clogged??

 

[sdpatt]

Rather that guess if your thermostat is working, why not measure the temperature of the housing downstream of the thermostat? That way you know if it is the thermostat opening too early or the sender not outputting the correct voltage.

My 180 degree thermostat maintains the temperature gauge needle below the "L", but above the lower hash mark of the NORMAL range. As long as the needle is in the NORMAL range, you and your SHO are okay.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

GUYS GUYS!!! Look at his sig. He has a police grille. Case closed. That's all it is Aaron.

 

[sdpatt]

The small amount of extra airflow provided by the police grill does not change the operation of the thermostat. It is still the thermostat's responsibility to control the temperature of the engine coolant as long as there is some heat sink capacity available from the radiator.

 

[SHOZ123]

A properly operating t-stat should maintain it's rated temp even with no grill.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

Scott, I welcome you to move up here where it is now freezing temps. Damn my sho lives on the cape which is even colder at times. I just worked on the car in question, it's well within limits. According to a scientifically aerophysically done feasibility study by, umm, me, the same stretch of highway was travelled in the same direction at the same speed in the same temperature with A: stock grille, and B: my "cheap and homemade" (your words Scott) Police grille replica. The results were, no grille: A-M on the gauge. "Cheap and homemade" grille: L-A slightly lower. That was on a september '01 night, about 52* temperature. Welcome to New England.

<small>[ November 14, 2002, 11:59 AM: Message edited by: SHO91MTX ]</small>

 

[luigisho]

That's why I asked if it get's up to the normal range at idle or waiting at a red light. In motion the po po does cool it down more than with a normal grille, at least on mine, especially with the temps dropping this time of year. If you're at all concerned about this, the t-stat is not an expensive item to replace. You can check the sensor in the overflow tank and clean the crap off the prongs and see if it runs any cleaner too.

 

[shojuan]

sdpatt:
sender not outputting the correct voltage.

My 180 degree thermostat maintains the temperature gauge needle below the "L", but above the lower hash mark of the NORMAL range. As long as the needle is in the NORMAL range, you and your SHO are okay.

Scott, you are still using your original gauge sender aren't you (I seem to recall this from a previous post)? I'd bet that if you replaced it your gauge reading would go up. Sender output decreases with time.

Rick

<small>[ November 14, 2002, 11:32 AM: Message edited by: shojuan ]</small>

 

[doucebag]

I have the police grill on my sho and I too have the same problem with the temp just getting to or just below the normal range. I have heat inside but i start the car and let it run in the morning and it take a while to warm up. I too was wondering about a faulty t-stat.

Kevin

 

[shojuan]

SHO91MTX:
Scott, I welcome you to move up here where it is now freezing temps. Damn my sho lives on the cape which is even colder at times. I just worked on the car in question, it's well within limits. According to a scientifically aerophysically done feasibility study by, umm, me, the same stretch of highway was travelled in the same direction at the same speed in the same temperature with A: stock grille, and B: my "cheap and homemade" (your words Scott) Police grille replica. The results were, no grille: O-R on the gauge. "Cheap and homemade" grille: N-O slightly lower. That was on a september '01 night, about 52* temperature. Welcome to New England.

Read the last half of your post. Something is off. It looks like you mixed up your results.

Rick