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View Full Version : I think my thermostat failed, help with conformation?


328ioc
03-12-2012, 08:28 PM
Hello family,

Well tonight I had an hour drive home which was 45 min of highway driving and I realized that my car never reached full temperature.

This obviously sounds to me like a failed thermostat, but even though I was keeping a fairly constant speed the temp gauge kept fluctuating, some time it almost reached running temp but then never stayed there.

So I am wondering what are the chances that it is the coolant temp sensor over the thermostat and is there any way to tell which it is before I start replacing parts?

Also conditions tonight were normal: about 65 degrees, and I even drove with the heat on for a bit to see if it would cause the temp gauge to go up but it never did.

Any insight from the experts?

Thanks,

DM
Newjack
03-12-2012, 08:39 PM
Sounds like your thermostat is stuck open. Mine did the same thing right before I replaced my cooling system.

Having the heat on would help cool off the coolant more, it wouldn't increase the temp.
328ioc
03-12-2012, 08:49 PM
Gotcha, sadly I wont have time to replace it until next week. Is there any harm in driving it around town till then?
llll1l1ll
03-13-2012, 03:15 AM
Just be careful with a thermostat that's stuck open. You also will get pretty poor gas mileage.
328ioc
03-13-2012, 06:23 AM
Maybe that explains my some what mediocre fuel mileage.

But at the same time my car reached normal temp today just fine in my way to class and its only a 2 mile drive or less.

Maybe I will just do the thermostat and temp sensor then do the rest of the cooling system over the summer.

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nike001
03-13-2012, 06:53 AM
Thank your lucky stars that your thermostat didn't stick closed..
328ioc
03-13-2012, 07:03 AM
Yeah that would have been shitty considering I have had the car for less that two months.
llll1l1ll
03-13-2012, 10:55 AM
If the car reached normal temps today, the thermostat might be getting sticky and staying stuck open sometimes and functioning for real at others. Keep a close eye on that temperature gauge, because if it gets stuck closed you will quickly overheat. Also keep in mind that the temp gauge in these cars is pretty numb. When the needle is straight up, it's saying that the engine is in the correct range - not an exact temperature. So when the engine truly overheats, that needle is going to move but it'll be slightly behind the actual engine temperature - IIRC.
328ioc
03-13-2012, 11:28 AM
Yeah, I do know they are "dummy gauges" and I ordered the new thermostat a few hours ago so hopefully it will be here Friday.

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johnrando
03-14-2012, 10:23 AM
Yup, there is a solution on our site for overheating warnings due to the "dummy" temp gauge. Drawing a blank on the name, but someone will post it. If not, I will.
LivesNearCostco
03-14-2012, 12:25 PM
Mafiosi have traditionally disliked snitches, but I think you refer to the Coolant Snitch? Or install a real coolant temp gauge, possibly by adding a T-fitting into the upper radiator hose.
johnrando
03-14-2012, 02:01 PM
lol, coolant snitch. That's it. The one snitch that's mafia approved.
danewilson77
03-14-2012, 02:26 PM
lol, coolant snitch. That's it. The one snitch that's mafia approved.

Hehe.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT
328ioc
03-14-2012, 09:19 PM
Lol, yes I have heard and read up on the coolant Snitch.

I also want to throw out a MASSIVE set of props to the guys at OEM Bimmer parts.

Got the free shipping as usual but even thought they said 3-4 days shipping my new thermostat and coolant where here OVER NIGHT!!!!!

Oh and the prices were amazing as well.

Cheers Gents.
MrMaico
03-16-2012, 03:34 AM
Try going into the hidden dash functions to bring up the coolant temp reading. Sorry don't have time to look up how to do it right now. Heading to work in a few minutes.
ryankokesh
03-16-2012, 04:57 AM
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328ioc
03-16-2012, 07:23 AM
Try going into the hidden dash functions to bring up the coolant temp reading. Sorry don't have time to look up how to do it right now. Heading to work in a few minutes.

Thanks I will try and figure it out when i go to install the thermostat.

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328ioc
03-16-2012, 07:25 AM
Updownleftrightdowndownleftleftleftdownleft


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I think that is for full ammunition.

Too bad this isn't GTA. Lol

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MrMaico
03-16-2012, 12:07 PM
Thanks I will try and figure it out when i go to install the thermostat.

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Found a link to a how-to.....

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?2862-Hidden-OBC-Access-Codes

Never have tried it on mine, might have to check it out later today.