Engine not heating up!

[jimbobm]

Hi guys,

my 99' vts will heat up to just under halfway when i just let it tick over for 10 mins, when i set off it dives right down to near the bottom again and doesnt come back up even if i start using more power.

also my oil temperature only seems to go just above the white line unless i start putting the power down more.

anyone got any clues?

[jimbobm]

any ideas?

[imydaking]

maybe your dials/sensors are broke ;) also check the oil level.

[Tabzman]

Gotta be sensors aint it? Any engine, if on will develop at least the right amount of heat, heard of plenty of over heaters but never an engine in a saxo that under heats. I would seriously check that sensors and dials first my man.

[raunchz]

It'll underheat if you have no thermostat

[VTS123]

You need a new thermostat. It's sticking open. Simple cheap fix. I would recommend a proper Citroen one though or one from Euro car parts. The cheap Halfords ones don't have a good seal when shut and the car will take ages to warm up.

[jimbobm]

thanks guys, found one on euro car parts.

where is the thermostat located? and is it easy to fit? ive not done that much with cars in the past but im not too special. ha

[James106]

iirc it's located at the top right hand side of the Rad.

[RichyBoiVTR]

mine does this it runs really cool the temp needle is almost touching the cold when cruising... think ill change the thermostat see what happens....

[VTS123]

Follow the top right hand hose back from the radiator - the thermostat is behind the black plastic thing with three bolts that it connects to.

Get a Haynes book for useful advice but you need to drain the coolant (good oportunity to change it if you don't know when it was last changed). Remember to open the bleed points (top of radiator, top of thermostat housing and top of heater return hose) when you drain and refill.

[VTS123]

mine does this it runs really cool the temp needle is almost touching the cold when cruising... think ill change the thermostat see what happens....

Again, almost certainly the thermostat. They don't last all that long - maybe 2 or 3 years working properly.

You will find it using a lot less fuel when it runs at the proper temperature

[raunchz]

you need to run the engine at the right temperature!!

The Ecu uses the coolant temperature to alter the fueling, the temperature of the oil will be affected by the coolant temperature

[jimbobm]

if all my heating and rear demister etc are working does this still mean the thermostat is the problem?
or does it mean ive probs just got an air lock?

thanks, james.

[jimbobm]

i put a new thermostat in today and now the temp gauge is working but i have more problems which id say are related.

- overheating in traffic so much that the light comes on
- oil temp seems to be high (a few mm from the top line)
- car is iddling horrible and has cut out at traffic lights
- white smoke even when heated up, this was like this before.

any help apreciated.

[raunchz]

headgasket? Get a garage to do a compression test & a 'sniff' test

[Mochachino]

i put a new thermostat in today and now the temp gauge is working but i have more problems which id say are related.

- overheating in traffic so much that the light comes on
- oil temp seems to be high (a few mm from the top line)
- car is iddling horrible and has cut out at traffic lights
- white smoke even when heated up, this was like this before.

any help apreciated.

Take ya Thermostat back out lol..

All do seem like HG tbh.

My car does the same, either no Thermostat or its stuck open.

[jimbobm]

if it is the head gasket, could i get away with just fitting a new gasket myself as its early? if so is this fairly easy?

thanks, james.

[VTS123]

I hope you don't mind me asking but have you put the thermostat in the correct way round, i.e. the spring side pointing into the engine?

[jimbobm]

lol, cant remember, ive sealed it with sealent too.

ive just bled the system again and it seems fine now, usually stays around the halfway mark, thats normal i guess?

thanks, james.