Re: HALP!! My 86 GT H20 Temp Low, & Fuel Consumption High--

[christopher_bender@fmc.com (CHRISTOPHER BENDER)]

     Maybe your "new" thermostat is bad, and your Thermo time switch really 
     is fine?  THe cold start valve continues to get juice because the car 
     really is running way cold.


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: HALP!! My 86 GT H20 Temp Low, & Fuel Consumption High-- 
Author:  Jonathan Monetti <jmonetti@us.net> at Internet
Date:    2/18/97 2:25 PM


Hi All, 
     
I've got a problem, and it's driving my a little crazy.  
     
My 86 GT was running VERY cold--H20 was at the bottom two pegs of the 
digital guage.  Naturally, fuel consumption was very high, as the computer 
was keeping the fuel mixture rich for a perceived permanent cold start 
situation.  So, getting 12 MPG wasn't a shock to me, knowing I had to 
replace the thermostat.  
     
I replaced the thermostat.  Car warmed up a little. (very little). 
Mileage went up to 14-15 MPG.  Then I noticed a tiny leak in the radiator 
(orig--and mighty crusty).  So, I had to opt for a new aftermarket one at 
$300 (dealer wanted
$800 for stock rad!!).  Installed the new rad, and...the temp went back 
down.  Now I was getting 8-10 MPG.  
     
So, I test the thermo-time switch and it *seems* OK (I wont be comfortable 
untli its replaced).  I tested the cold-start valve, and it didn't give my 
any fuel--car was too warm, but I could see it wasn;t leaking or damaged.  
     
So I disconnected the lead to the cold start valve, and a test drive 
produced 15-20 MPG!!  OK, I've found my problem, right?  Well, I'm not 
sure.  The car still runs very very cool, and I'm not so sure where the 
problem lies.  
     
Bad temp-sensor/sending unit?  Thermo-time switch?  Cold Start valve? 
Trip computer? I
can see the MPG getting better without the CSValve connected, but the low 
temp still has me baffled, and MPG still isn't optimal.  I feel the temp 
sensor might be OK, because it
read a couple of brief spikes (nothing high enough to be dangerous) while 
I was filling the system & while the
thermostat was opening up.
     
     
What do you all think?  I think the previous owner probably treated the 
coolant system for the radiator leak, so could that have the effect of 
*lowering* the overall operating temperature?  
     
Losing my marbles, 
     
Jonathan Monetti
86 Coupe GT, 82k 
     
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Date: Tue, 18 Feb 1997 14:25:08 -0500 (EST)
From: Jonathan Monetti <jmonetti@us.net>
To: quattro@coimbra.ans.net
Subject: HALP!! My 86 GT H20 Temp Low, & Fuel Consumption High-- 
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