[chinkara]

I am facing a peculiar problem -- that of the engine not heating up. Normally after 5-7 min of driving the temperature needle settles at the middle "optimum" level, right?

Yesterday, it did not go beyond 1/3rd -- I do a Delhi Gurgaon commute and yesterday it took me 1.5 hours on my way back.

Can anyone throw any light on why this might be happening?
And any possible repercussions of the same?

Car is a 2004 Wagon R that has done 130 K+ Kms. A service is overdue, so anyway I will give the car to the garage in the next 1-2 days, but just wanted some idea about this problem.

Mods, I could not find any thread on a similar topic, if available please merge.

[condor]

Do you mean - your temp indicator is not working correctly ?

Originally Posted by chinkara

Yesterday, it did not go beyond 1/3rd -- I do a Delhi Gurgaon commute and yesterday it took me 1.5 hours on my way back.

Does it mean your car did not pick up speed & hence you were slow, or does it mean you faced so much traffic ? Or does it mean that the temp guage picked up after 1.5 hours of driving ?

[chinkara]

Originally Posted by condor

Do you mean - your temp indicator is not working correctly ? Does it mean your car did not pick up speed & hence you were slow, or does it mean you faced so much traffic ? Or does it mean that the temp guage picked up after 1.5 hours of driving ?

Answers to your questions:
1. The temp gauge not working could be one answer, but I don't think so, because the gauge is picking up from 0 to 1/3 rd level. It is not just going up to 1/2 level.
2. I did not notice any difference in pick-up. It was traffic, and anyway Delhi to Gurgaon (or should I say my office to home) during rush hour takes about 75-80 min.
3. The gauge did not pick up after 1.5 hours of driving.

[condor]

So looks like either a gauge problem or a sensor problem. Or a loose connection ?

[anky]

Same prob in my m800 1997 temp guage rising up slowly and not going above the 1/3 mark so changed it as fan and thermostat working.

[sgiitk]

Could be the thermostat being stuck in the open position. Then in this weather you will not get the proper temperature of the coolant. Thank your start that it did no get stuck in the closed position.

[Desmosedici]

I too noticed this is my 2001 Honda City Vtec and was having some doubts. But in my case, the Temp Needle rises from zero after 5 mins of driving and stays near the 45% mark all the time irrespective of weather or traffic conditions. Now i know that the Temp Needle is working but what i dont know is whether this is normal for a Vtec as when i touch the bonnet, it does feel hot, hotter than many other cars (comparing with a M800, Swift and Beat)

[sgiitk]

@Desmosedici; Honda bonnets are very compact so you will get it hot. The same 45% or so is true for my Civic. Depends on the calibration of the indicator. If it has been the same always then do not worry. Maruti's go about 75-80%, both Honda and Hyundai stay lower.

[chinkara]

Update: I just gave my car for servicing. The SA says there is no problem, but I am not convinced.
I had an overheating problem once or twice before and I am apprehensive that if the reading in the indicator is not correct somewhere down the line I may drive on in overheated condition and damage the engine.

[Jaggu]

Check thermostat and the temp sensor. Better just go ahead and replace both of them since its 130k kms already.

[mayankjha1806]

When the engine heats up beyond the comfortable limit you will feel the heat on your legs as they are closest to the engine. So even if the temperature gauge isn't working overheating engine is easy to feel and detect while driving. The other indication sometimes is it cuts off the AC.

Now on the specific problem, does the outside temperature impact the heating of engine? I believe Delhi/Gurgaon is seeing some of its coldest days. Can the engine temperature get impacted by that?

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

Now on the specific problem, does the outside temperature impact the heating of engine? I believe Delhi/Gurgaon is seeing some of its coldest days. Can the engine temperature get impacted by that?

It might take a lil longer but not as long as 1.5 hours and 70-80 km/hr. I suspect one of the ^^ components, both are not very expensive and relatively simple job also.

[mayankk]

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

When the engine heats up beyond the comfortable limit you will feel the heat on your legs as they are closest to the engine. So even if the temperature gauge isn't working overheating engine is easy to feel and detect while driving. The other indication sometimes is it cuts off the AC.

Now on the specific problem, does the outside temperature impact the heating of engine? I believe Delhi/Gurgaon is seeing some of its coldest days. Can the engine temperature get impacted by that?

It ll be too late by the time he feels heat through the firewall.
More immediate would be the steam through the left/right of the bonnet depending on where the reservoir filler is.

I have noticed a slow heating in my cars, and do recall that the santro meter used to hover slightly below the point where it did in the summers.
But here its 1/3rd, which seems a tad low.
However, some variation from summer level is there, and is to be expected.
If its not too much, it may be that you noticed it this winter only.
Do get a check, though, even if just for peace of mind.

[vigsom]

@chinkara, few queries an suggestions

1. does the needle go to the 1/3 mark ,say in approx 5 minutes of driving?if yes,your thermostat is working fine.If it takes say 20 minutes or more to reach that value,then your thermostat is open
2. try this - run the engine and take the temp. needle upto the 1/3 mark,pull over,keep engine running,open bonnet,raise engine and see if the radiator fan cuts in.

[mayankjha1806]

Originally Posted by mayankk

It ll be too late by the time he feels heat through the firewall.
More immediate would be the steam through the left/right of the bonnet depending on where the reservoir filler is.

Not sure, but might be different for different cars. In my earlier Indica (there were holes for Clutch/Brake/Accelerator) and when i used to keep my feet on the floor i could always feel the heat and was able to tell if the temperature is at ok level or higher then ok level . Please keep in mind that i devised this method as overheating was a constant recurring problem in Indicas those days.

Same case in my Baleno, there are holes and the overheating only happened once but when it did i did feel it instantly and immediately looked at the temperature gauge (It was not in danger zone, but surely over the 50% mark). Hence immediately took it to Bimal.

Now i would agree i cannot keep using the same logic everywhere, for example Civic's insulation is much much better and i bet i will not notice any heat on my legs even if the engine is on the verge of burning, but you never know.