308:how long for thermostat to open? | FerrariChat
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308:how long for thermostat to open?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by 8valve, Jan 2, 2005.

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  1. 8valve

    8valve Formula 3

    Sep 3, 2003
    1,029
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Mick A.
    #1 8valve, Jan 2, 2005
    Outside air temperature 10 degrees Celsius (50 fahrenheit), just running idle, how long should it take approximately before the thermostat starts sending water up front to the radiator? I am suspecting a faulty one, since the radiator starts warming up after 5 minutes....
     
  2. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

    Feb 16, 2003
    14,656
    The fabulous PNW
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    Han Solo
    #2 Spasso, Jan 2, 2005
    Ideally the thermostat shouldn't open until the tempurature gauge in the car reads 190/195f (or regular operating temp) after which you should feel some heat in the radiator.

    Elapsed time may vary from car to car.


    DJ
     
  3. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,620
    The Brickyard
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    The Bad Guy
    #3 ernie, Jan 2, 2005
    Just to add something, it also depends on the thermostat. Some thermostats open at 180 deg.f, and others at 190 deg.f. So it depends what tempearture setting each thermostat has. When you first start the car, sit in it while it is warming up and watch the water temp gage. You can see the temperature drop when the thermostat first opens, but the fans won't come on yet. That is because the water is cold from sitting in the radiator all night. Then when the temperature goes up again the termostat will open, and then the fans will come on, since the water is already hot from the first time.
     
  4. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

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    #4 Spasso, Jan 2, 2005
    Right on Ernie......................
     
  5. 8valve

    8valve Formula 3

    Sep 3, 2003
    1,029
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Mick A.
    #5 8valve, Jan 2, 2005
    Thanks Ernie and Spasso! My temperature guage is very slow off the peg, and the radiator gets warm well before the reading is up to 180 degrees F....The thermostat was renewed three months ago, I guess it will be a warranty issue!
     
  6. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

    Feb 16, 2003
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    Han Solo
    #6 Spasso, Jan 2, 2005
    Sounds like the thermostat is open all of the time. That would cause slow warm up times on the gauge and warm water reaching the radiator before the engine reaches operating temp. Make sure it is the correct design for your car.
     
  7. TOM B

    TOM B Formula 3

    Jul 24, 2003
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    Orange County, NY
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    Thomas Buckley
    #7 TOM B, Jan 3, 2005
  8. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
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    Arlington Heights IL
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    Kenneth
    #8 Ken, Jan 3, 2005
    The question is if your temp. gauges warm up in the same amount of time as before. That should not change no matter what thermostat temp. rating you have. If the gauges are slow to move and the car never really gets to full temp., then your thermostat is likely stuck open as previously stated. This will result in a very dirty burning engine with crap growing on your valves etc. if you don't fix it.

    If the gauges move as quickly as normal but never get to optimum temp, then your thermostat is rated at too low a temprature. It needs to be replaced with the correct rating.

    Ken
     

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