Low engine temp - Cold weather or bad thermostat

atconc

Active Member
Jul 1, 2013
48
0
Hi All

Ended up doing a 100ish mile motorway run late last night and was taking advantage of the clear roads to push on a bit. Whilst on the motorway on the way back I noticed that the temp gauge dropped back down almost to the lowest mark on the dash (think it says 60?) and the temp via ODB (torque app on my phone) stayed in the low 60s the whole time on the motorway - the torque app was reading 8c temp at the intake and the car was showing an external temp between 3 and 1 degrees for the whole journey. I was going quick but not on the turbo most of the time, just boosting back up to cruising speed when I had to occasionally slow down.

I've seen some threads on here suggesting that not holding temp is the sign of a dodgy thermostat, so am wondering if mine's going, or if the behaviour above is normal for a cold night? I also had the heater going most of the way (set to 22 degrees) if that makes a difference.

I'm thinking about getting the car remapped soon, so I could get the stat done at the same time if this behaviour isn't normal. Any thoughts? Car is a LCR BAM 225.
 

loonitic

Active Member
Jun 16, 2013
59
0
Thermostat. I had the same issue with mine swapped it out and that sorted it.
 

spud31

Rail Zip User
Jul 14, 2011
407
2
Duff thermostat, just changed one on a AUQ 180 LC.
Its not a fun job and really needs the alternator removing
 

atconc

Active Member
Jul 1, 2013
48
0
Thanks for all the replies, will get the stat changed
couple of questions - is it likely to hurt the car if i drive it like this until i get it changed? What sort of bill am a looking at?
 

Rivva

Want more power!!
Feb 12, 2004
569
1
Doncaster
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Cost me about a tenner for the stat from GSF, main sideffects i got was very poor mpg.. and also ran quite rough now and again, especially after stop starting when the engine was warm
 

cuprapete

Active Member
Feb 18, 2010
193
0
Damp Devon
as all have said, deffo thermostat. Good excuse to replenish coolant and antifreeze aswell with winter looming.

Oh yea and I snapped the orange dipstick tube changing the thermostat - but luckily I had already read on here to buy one just in case!
 

Rivva

Want more power!!
Feb 12, 2004
569
1
Doncaster
Visit site
as all have said, deffo thermostat. Good excuse to replenish coolant and antifreeze aswell with winter looming.

Oh yea and I snapped the orange dipstick tube changing the thermostat - but luckily I had already read on here to buy one just in case!

haha yes same for myself.. less than a fiver for dipstick tube replacement though so no biggie
 

atconc

Active Member
Jul 1, 2013
48
0
I'll be getting it done at the garage, any idea how many hours labour I should expect to be paying?
 

Aaron87

Active Member
Nov 19, 2013
272
0
Just done mine also.. Easy job with the alternator off.. A stat will cost you about £10 from most parts places, if you've got a 13mm socket & spanner and a couple of extension bars just do it yourself! Isn't a hard job


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

seanscott

Guest
Yup same, thermostat mines got changed last week. Now at a nice consistent 90.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
 

kriso

_______ C U P R A _______
Jan 29, 2007
2,325
4
Brighton
Mine has started dropping to 75c on the dual carriageway so I suspect it's the same thing. Do you have to remove the dipstick or can you get to it with a socket and a universal joint?
 

Aaron87

Active Member
Nov 19, 2013
272
0
I think you'll struggle if you don't take at least the top bolt out of the alternator and drop it down.. It's real easy to get on and off, just remember to push the migrating bushes in the alternator back!!!
 

Sprogpole

Active Member
Jul 20, 2012
360
1
Leicester
£110 at Seat dealer this time last year.
It was too cold to be out doing it myself getting my knuckles scraped up.

Only problem was, they broke the dip stick tube and didn’t tell me or replace it.
2 weeks later when I noticed, I took it back to them but they said there was no proof that they broke it. And even if they did I would still have to pay for them to sort it as it’s my fault for having an old car.

Never going back there again.
 

Aaron87

Active Member
Nov 19, 2013
272
0
£110 at Seat dealer this time last year.
It was too cold to be out doing it myself getting my knuckles scraped up.

Only problem was, they broke the dip stick tube and didn’t tell me or replace it.
2 weeks later when I noticed, I took it back to them but they said there was no proof that they broke it. And even if they did I would still have to pay for them to sort it as it’s my fault for having an old car.

Never going back there again.

Wow, that's not good!!

I done one a little while back as a private job (mechanic by trade) and charged the guy about £40 including the parts! .. Didn't realize Dealers charged that much!!
 
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