Does anyone have any ideas what could cause my problem. My engine takes a very long time to get to the working temperature. I remember in last winter I drove about 1 km and my car was blowing warm air. Now as it gets close to 0 deg. C again, I can drive 10 km in the city and my engine isn't fully warm yet.
Already changed thermostat, but to my surprise nothing changed.

 

3lvis: Years ago, in a different car, while driving ~12 hours in a snowstorm, the thermostat failed open and the engine remained cold. The family and I were equally cold, and the gas mileage was halved by the closed choke plate (back when engines had choke plates).

Being in the middle of nowhere and in a bind, I partially covered the front of the radiator with a paper map (back when we used paper maps). Fan suction held the map in place, and the engine warmed up. For the remainder of the drive, I kept a watchful eye on the temperature gauge and repositioning the map a few times, cautious not to overheat the engine.

If you attempt this and the engine warms up, the thermostat, albeit new, is likely stuck open. One caveat: Be certain your temperature sensor and dash temperature gauge work.

Another thought: remove the thermostat, place in a pot of cold water, heat on the stove, use a meat or candy thermostat to see what temperature it opens. Best to do when the Mrs. isn't in the kitchen!

 

Over here a lot of people cover radiators but last winter when it was colder my car warmed up faster then now. Checked old thermostat too, it wasn't stuck open as I thought.
I think this problem occurred after my engine over heated really bad as my radiator started leaking a lot while driving and temp gauge didn't go up. When I smelled burning oil I stopped the car and saw that coolant tank was empty added some water that was in the car, then seconds later it started boiling in the coolant tank and temp gauge went to red. I was lucky enough that heads and head gaskets weren't damaged but can't figure out why it takes so long to warm up.

 

3lvis: Just spitballing....... Could it be the engine fans working too hard by staying on too much and spinning too fast? Easy to test: unplug the fan control module or the fuse powering the fan control module: F37 15A under the hood on an '02, unsure on an '01. If the engine warms up quickly, you've got your answer. Just be careful not to overheat the engine with the fans off.

 

it could be a faulty temp sensor that is triggering both fans to spin. (plus the cold air outside blowing into the radiator as you are driving)

 

fan control module is likely bad. it may have broke in the fan on mode. When you turn your car on,check to see if the fans kicked on. If so my money is on the module. Let us know. I do have 1 more in stock. I do ship internationally.


Good Luck,
The Dr!

 

My fans are working as they should. Without A/C won't work until engine has warmed up and with A/C fans switch on every now and then. Any more ideas?
I work with cars every day but my fault seems quite strange and thought that maybe someone has had that problem before me. I would order another thermostat just to be sure but it took forever to arrive.

 

if it's not the fans...

the thermostat must be stuck in the open position.

or you are using liquid nitrogen in your system

 

3vlis: To determine if the coolant thermostat is opening too soon or stuck open, try the suggested in post #2. If the engine temperature climbs when you block airflow thru the radiator, and falls when you allow air to flow freely thru the radiator, then the coolant thermostat is probably opening too soon or stuck open. Be careful not to overheat the engine by blocking airflow thru the radiator too much or for too long.