Engine Temp Lower Now - Normal??

[X5Dawg]

Ever since the outside temperature has gotten lower, I have noticed that my engine temp gauge (or oil temp) is not reaching the mid point like it normally does during the summer. Is this normal??

[sethro]

Not so with me, in Toronto cold the needle is exactly centered

[faz]

Could be a sign that your thermostat is staying open?

[ARTRIGA]

or your fan clutch engaged all the time?

[TheKingSim0n]

No its not normal and to top that off your SES light wont go off if you have a bad thermostat. I had a bad thermostat and i had to diagnose it, clear it, diagnose it again and clear it again before i noticed i had a bad thermostat. the part is around $60 USD.

If i were you id go to a local mom and pop shop & get it diagnosed. If you get codes on the thermostat, replace it.

Good luck!

[X5Dawg]

Thanks - will do!!

[MosH]

I just had my thermostat replaced and my temp guage is still dropping to 1/4 when on the highway... No more SES light, yet however something is not right. Maybe the fan clutch?

[MosH]

So back to the mechanic today, my temperature guage is still taking forever go up on the morning and never goes up beyong 1/4 when on the highway. He called me and said everything looks good, no error codes this and that the thermostat is working perfectly. I'm not sure how he knows this but I still refuse to believe this is a faulty temp sending unit. What is the best way to troubleshoot this? How can I convince him to change the thermostat again?

[m5james]

Originally Posted by ARTRIGA

or your fan clutch engaged all the time?

If the fan clutch was engaged all the time, it would sound like an airplane taking off and you'd feel the drag on the motor.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by MosH

So back to the mechanic today, my temperature guage is still taking forever go up on the morning and never goes up beyong 1/4 when on the highway. He called me and said everything looks good, no error codes this and that the thermostat is working perfectly. I'm not sure how he knows this but I still refuse to believe this is a faulty temp sending unit. What is the best way to troubleshoot this? How can I convince him to change the thermostat again?

While this may be time consuming, you can always test it the old fashioned way my putting your hands on the upper and lower radiator hose. If both hoses gradually increase in temperature till the motor is completely heated, then your thermostat has failed in the open position...which is better than the closed position that happened to me on a roadtrip in my 7. If the thermostat is functioning the way it's supposed to, which it won't open till around 103*C on the OBC, you should feel a sudden rush of head when it opens up finally. If you can have someone reading the OBC while you're standing there holding the hoses, it couldn't hurt.