Heat and engine question

[Frosty Girl]

Hi everyone -Wow! I haven't posted on here in ages. Anyway I also have a heat question. The last week or so we've had fairly cold weather, but my question is - are everyone's engine gages still at about half way and does your heat seem warm? My car is taking forever to warm up, I have about a 20 minute drive to work and by the time I get to work my heat is finally starting to warm up, but my engine light is still way down. My dad said something about my thermostat....should I call and take it in? Any other suggestions?Thanks!Frosty Girl

[joatmon]

It has been a while. welcome back It hasn't gotten cold here yet, but last winter it took me about two miles to start getting warm air out of the heater. My temperature gauge goes to about halfway when it's warm, in either summer or winter. It could be your thermostat. If the thermostat was stuck open it could keep the engine from warming up. Are you still under warranty? If so then I would take it in, it definitely doesn't sound like it's behaving the way that it should.Not sure if it would cause the problems you're having, but you should also check to make sure that the coolant level is ok.For what it's worth, here's a fuzzy pic showing my temperature gauge. Doesn't seem to matter what the outside temp is, the gauge always points to the same place when the engine is warmed up.

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[ragingfish]

My heat gets too hot before the engine temp gauge even starts to go up!It rocks the party...

[Altus]

Oh yeah -- if it takes any more than 5 minutes to warm up while driving, you definately have a problem. Judging by how long it takes, and the fact that your temp guage is barely moving, I'd say it's a good bet your thermostat has failed in the open position. Get is changed now -- cuz as it gets colder, it's going to get worse. And it's not that good for the engine either, and you'll also start to notice your fuel mileage going down. The engine's designed to run at a certain temperature you see, and there is such a thing as TOO cool.....Dealer under warranty, or a shop of your choice -- but I'd say get it changed out.

[Savoy]

It definitely does sound like the thermostat. If it is and you are not under warranty it is very easy and cheap to replace. I wonder how long a thermostat is to go before changing?? Or is there even a maintenance schedule for it? I am right at 60,000 miles and I haven't done any coolant/radiation maintenance .-Savoy-

[meathead333]

you could also just start your car up early and let it warm up till you get it fixed

[Frosty Girl]

I have been starting my car early and letting it warm up. It still doesn't get very warm though. I'll call Monday and make an appoinment. Thanks for the advice. I've only had my Vibe for about 10 months, so I still have lots of warranty time on it.

[millster]

Well, glad to see you back here! I agree. Doesn't sound right. I can start my car, let it run for about a minute and by the time I've driven 3 or 4 blocks it's starting to warm up. Hope the dealership is able to straighten it out for you.

[joatmon]

are you going to take it back to the dealer? let us know what they say/do.

[joatmon]

FrostyGirl, I know you have other things to worry about since your car got molested, by the Hit and Run, but did you ever get the engine warm up problem looked at?

[Frosty Girl]

I have an appointment next week, so I'll let you know what they find.

[Frosty Girl]

Well the thermostat is fine, that's what they say atleast. My poor car is cold and still smashed. I'll have to post a picture of it. It's very sad.

[AKLGT]

sorry to hear it got smashed. my heater works pretty well and gets the car toasty. i did add a heated seat on the drivers side too so that adds a bit of extra warmth.

[Altus]

Go to another dealer..... because if your car takes that long to heat up, there's something wrong and they should have found it before you left.What'd they say anyway? Did it heat up normally for them? What tests did they do?

[red]

how cold does it get in you area, frostygirl? i know when it is -25* or colder here, the car struggles to get to the half way mark, idling wont help it.....when it gets cold like this, wedge a piece of cardboard between the grilles and the radiator, it seems to help.....no car that i know of will stay warm in extreme cold but they do get so that you dont freeze inside ! you can replace the thermostat but the computers are set to run on certain degrees, could try a 195* thermostat....maybe you have a heater door thats not opening all the way and blocking heated air from coming in??