Car won't warm up

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fastdave

New Member

Apr 19, 2003

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Chandler,AZ

Feb 10, 2006

#1

• Feb 10, 2006

• #1

On a cold morning (40 degrees) my car won't warm up. The temp won't get above 140-160. At first I thought it might be the thermostat. I had a Robertshaw 195. I replaced it with a new 180 degree one. On the thermostat housing there is a small bypass hose-what is the purpose of it? BUT it shouldn't bypass that much water. When the ambient temp is 65 or so it will warm up and I can see on my gauge when the thermostat opens. This engine only has about 150 miles on it. It is a 65 289.

 

iskwezm

10 Year Member

May 24, 2005

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Rowland Heights,California

Feb 10, 2006

#2

• Feb 10, 2006

• #2

sounds about normal in 40* morning

it was almost 90* here today, im running hot again

 

1

10secgoal

Active Member

Dec 1, 2003

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San Diego

Feb 11, 2006

#3

• Feb 11, 2006

• #3

iskwezm said:

sounds about normal in 40* morning

it was almost 90* here today, im running hot again

Click to expand...

Haha, god dammit. did you buy a rad yet ?
Dave, where is it dropping to when ( you see it open ?). Is it dropping below 180, maybe for a plit second, but shouldn't stay below it long.

 

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fastdave

New Member

Apr 19, 2003

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Chandler,AZ

Feb 11, 2006

#4

• Feb 11, 2006

• #4

IF I set at idle or a slow speed long enough the temp will get to 180 then the thermostat opens and the temp will drop to about 160 - 170. Then it might continue to drop to about 140 and stay there.I'm used to it @ least getting warm enough to run close to the thermostat temp. It doesn't get cold here very often-maybe this is normal... I might have to run a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator or put my electric fan back on. What it the purpose of the small bypass hose?

 

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

6,698

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204

tucson,az

Feb 11, 2006

#5

• Feb 11, 2006

• #5

the purpose of the bypass hose is to allow coolant to circulate in the block while the thermostat is closed.

 

1

180 Out

Member

Jul 23, 2005

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Feb 11, 2006

#6

• Feb 11, 2006

• #6

The bypass hose keeps the water recirculating through the water pump without letting it go into the radiator. So when only the bypass is in use -- when the thermostat is closed -- the bypass circuit keeps the water hotter than when the thermostat is open and the water is cycling through the radiator. In other words, the bypass is not causing your temperature drop, the radiator is.

Maybe the Robert Shaw thermostat is allowing too much water to get through. Isn't it of the "high flow" type? Try a normal thermostat -- the kind with the flat valve -- and see if that helps. Running a cold engine is supposed to be bad for it, something about the oil not heating up enough.

 

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fastdave

New Member

Apr 19, 2003

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Chandler,AZ

Feb 11, 2006

#7

• Feb 11, 2006

• #7

This morning took apiece of paper from my printer and put it in front of the radiator. The water temp got up to 175. Much better. I will put something in front of the radiator on the cold mornings until I can get my electric fan back on.

 

Az Pete

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

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Panama City, Fl.

Feb 11, 2006

#8

• Feb 11, 2006

• #8

Why would getting the fan back on work to help it warm up? Unless you are referring to the fans ability to remain off until warm enough to require it. The paper in front of the rad. stops the air flow, thus helping it warm up (of course you know this). I am in Safford, where it gets a bit colder than you do. I have no problem warming up with a stock 302 with a stock 289 fan and no shroud. I have found that if your timing is to far advanced, it will not warm up as good. The car will still perform fair but it is like the engine is running to "easy". Also, is the thermostat closing all the way even though it is a new one?

 

iskwezm

10 Year Member

May 24, 2005

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Rowland Heights,California

Feb 11, 2006

#9

• Feb 11, 2006

• #9

10secgoal said:

Haha, god dammit. did you buy a rad yet ?

Click to expand...

ha, yeah, it ran about 195-200 on Friday, so it wasnt that bad...im sure without the blower it would have been lower.

 

iskwezm

10 Year Member

May 24, 2005

4,159

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Rowland Heights,California

Feb 11, 2006

#10

• Feb 11, 2006

• #10

Az Pete said:

I am in Safford,

Click to expand...

oh really!!!!!!!!! , do you know of my family,the De Leons??????My dad grew up there and all of his side is still there. I havent been back there for about 20 years, and yes i remember the winters there.

 

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fastdave

New Member

Apr 19, 2003

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Chandler,AZ

Feb 12, 2006

#11

• Feb 12, 2006

• #11

Yeah, I thought that if the fan stayed off maybe it might warm up a bit quicker. But you are right, once I am going down the road the fan doesn't really matter that much. I dont really have the timing adjusted. since this is a new motor,about 150 miles on it. I have an appointment at the chassis dyno on Friday. The thermostat does appear to be closing all the way. Also I have a Shelby R type front apron so it is getting a lot of air flow. I"ll see what happens after it is dialed in.

 

TBP

Founding Member

Nov 14, 2000

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Transient

Feb 12, 2006

#12

• Feb 12, 2006

• #12

Did you try sweet talking it?










Sorry, just couldn't resist.

 

mdjay

Premium Sponsor

Dec 9, 2003

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Las Vegas, NV

Feb 12, 2006

#13

• Feb 12, 2006

• #13

With everything else considered, have you checked the sender on your temp gauge?

 

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fastdave

New Member

Apr 19, 2003

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Chandler,AZ

Feb 12, 2006

#14

• Feb 12, 2006

• #14

No I didn't check the sender. Reason is because it seems to work normal when the ambient temp is 50 or higher. I will watch the temp go to 180 then the temp drops to around 170 telling me the thermostat just opened. I think that I may just have to put a piece of paper in front of the radiator until the ambient temp starts to get warmer.