Engine never gets warm? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

deezeejoey · 02-07-2010, 09:01 PM

For a while it seemed like to me that when I drive in the winter my car never gets very warm. The heat coming out of the vents it never hot, just a bit more than luke warm.

So I drove from Akron OH to Dayton OH (3 hour drive) and the engine temp hardly went above C. It's winter, and I drove through that awful snow storm we just had. But it was the same thing on the way back. This seem normal?

1998 Camry, LE 2.2L I4

bigbird · 02-07-2010, 09:07 PM

sounds like the thromostat is stuck open. replacing it should fix that. it did mine.

hill8570 · 02-07-2010, 09:08 PM

Nope -- your thermostat's stuck open. Pretty easy DIY fix. Replace both the thermostat and the gasket. I'd recommend the Toyota OEM part -- it's more expensive, but I've never heard of one failing "closed" (which will rapidly overheat your engine). Give me a cold heater instead of a ruined engine any day of the week.

deezeejoey · 02-07-2010, 09:13 PM

Anything bad going to happen if I don't replace it soon?
Or can this fix wait?
Maybe worse gas mileage because the engine is trying to get warm?

4Cyl'erThriller · 02-07-2010, 09:22 PM

I need to do mine too. Ive been too lazy. Its on my list of things to do come a lil warmer weather. Im choosing to wait. I dont think theres any serious problems with blowing it off for a bit. Unless it were to get stuck closed somehow. good luck.

hill8570 · 02-07-2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deezeejoey

Anything bad going to happen if I don't replace it soon?
Or can this fix wait?
Maybe worse gas mileage because the engine is trying to get warm?

Nothing horrible. Bad mileage, bad emissions. Might not shift into overdrive.

bigbird · 02-07-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deezeejoey

Anything bad going to happen if I don't replace it soon?

you'll die!

Nervous · 02-07-2010, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbird

you'll die!

...eventually.

4Cyl'erThriller · 02-07-2010, 10:26 PM

I think I can manage to fit in the fix sometime before I die. lol

73sport · 02-08-2010, 11:56 AM

deezee . . .

You might want to read this thread it will give you some insight. Post #19 and #21 get to the point.
Its not an emergency, but it would be wise to get it fixed.

DIY: 1mz thermostat

Off topic - Over heating
Not thats its summer time anywhere - but should any of you end up overheating your car during a time when you need to be somewhere, keep this in mind.
- Turn off the A/C and save the engine / cook the people

- If that alone is not enough, turn on heat to medium. This will give extra cooling and hopefully you make it to your destination.
- If the car is stick shift, don't lug it about it too high of gear. It makes more heat.
- If you know it lost coolant, turn it off, fix the leak and fill it up. There is no substitute for missing coolant.

Mike Gerber · 02-08-2010, 04:18 PM

From my post in a similar thread from earlier today:

"Your cat converter will suffer too. The engine is running richer when not at normal operating temperature. The engine is probably unable to burn all the fuel that is injected in to the cylinders. Some of that unburned fuel is passing out the exhaust valves and through the exhaust system; that includes the cat converter. If it were my car, I would change the thermostat now."

Mike

deezeejoey · 02-09-2010, 08:15 AM

Thanks. I've thought my gas mileage has been suffering, I've just been blaming it on winter snow and cold + winter gas formula.
I'll be stopping by my mechanic here is a few days (roommate needs new brakes). Will ask him about costs.

johnmc95camry · 02-09-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deezeejoey

For a while it seemed like to me that when I drive in the winter my car never gets very warm. The heat coming out of the vents it never hot, just a bit more than luke warm.

So I drove from Akron OH to Dayton OH (3 hour drive) and the engine temp hardly went above C. It's winter, and I drove through that awful snow storm we just had. But it was the same thing on the way back. This seem normal?

1998 Camry, LE 2.2L I4

I had that problem. No problem in the summer, but in the winter-NO Heat! I had to replace the thermostat, and I had heat again. Your thermostat is probably stuck open, resulting in the fluid of the cooling (and heating) system moving through the motor to quickly. The new thermostat will close when it is cold and then the fluid can heat up.