Re: Cool running 5kCST

[marriott@Summa4.COM]

Chris,

> I have a curious problem on my '88 5kCST.  Seems that the coolant
> temperature never gets very hot.  If I am cruising at a fast speed on the
> expressway, the coolant needle hovers at the 1/4 mark or even below.  If 

> Is this the sign of a failing thermostat?  Since the car seems to run so
> cool now, my cooling fan (with very noisy bearings) doesn't come on nerly
>  as
> much.  This is a blessing, since when it used to run a long time it would
> drain my battery by the end of the day.

A stuck thermostat can cause a variety of temperature behaviors.

wide open:      never gets warm
closed:         ummmm, POOF!
partway:        depending on where it's stuck, can cause "warm" while 
idling (water moves through radiator but air doesn't), and either _cold_ 
while running (if ambient and load are low, ie cruising in the winter) or 
_hot_ while running (if ambient and load are high, ie climbing a hill in 
the summer)

> Am I causing damage to my engine by driving it in this condition?  

A cool engine _may_ wear more, and generally has less power and more fuel 
usage than a warm one.

>  Chris King          | '94 Corrado SLC        (Sherry Red/Beige Leather)

hth,
James


James Marriott, BSME
work:  Manchester, NH, USA  marriott@Summa4.COM (603)625-4050 x 2539
home:  Auburn, NH, USA      marriott@grolen.com (603)483-8587

'64 Falcon Sprint Convertible--balanced & blueprinted 260 V-8
    GOES great. Stopping? 217k
'86 4000S        the better half's commuter (heated seats), 100k+
'87 4000CSQ      H-stock auto-x und daily driver, Kanc-1 veteran, 138k