Car cools down while driving?

brendon557 · December 31st, 2011, 09:06 PM

So every morning when I wake up for work I go start my car to let it warm up then I go get ready and head to work. The temp of my car before I leave is usually just below the half way temperature mark maybe a little less sometimes.

But these past few days after I leave for work and get on the highway my car gets colder and after about 20 minutes it says its cold like if it were a gas odometer it would be on empty or almost empty.

I don't understand why this is though. It can't be that cold put side (5 degrees). I topped the radiator off with antifreeze today and same thing happened on my way to work.

Any ideas?

Mike Hadz · December 31st, 2011, 09:25 PM

that's extremely odd, considering how cold it actually shows, if your car sits there idling in the garage it's not getting any cool air into the engine compartment, just warm air getting hotter and hotter, so the temp gauge should show warmer then if you were to drive for a moment and get some cool air flowing, but it would have no reason to show that cold.

SSG Pate · December 31st, 2011, 09:35 PM

what is the Temperature in you cabin vents? if they are normal then I would say your gauge is acting up.

brendon557 · December 31st, 2011, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by SSG Pate

what is the Temperature in you cabin vents? if they are normal then I would say your gauge is acting up.

The colder the car gets the colder they get. When I leave my house its nice and warm once the temperature starts lowering then so does temperature coming out of the vents.

SSG Pate · December 31st, 2011, 09:52 PM

ok sounds to me like you have a sticking thermostat. change your thermostat and o ring and see if that cures it.

SSG Pate · December 31st, 2011, 09:54 PM

when a themostat sticks open it constantly runs coolant through the system not allowing it to warm properly or get to operating temp. If it stick shut then your engine heats up super hot and fast.

bullitt1680 · December 31st, 2011, 11:56 PM

I would have to agree with SSG Pate

brendon557 · January 11th, 2012, 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by SSG Pate

ok sounds to me like you have a sticking thermostat. change your thermostat and o ring and see if that cures it.

You were correct sir. Changed the thermostat out a couple days ago now my heater stays warm and runs like a champ.

Thanks

number1gt · January 11th, 2012, 02:25 AM

Glad to hear you got it fixed

SSG Pate · January 11th, 2012, 06:30 AM

Nice! Glad you have heat now.

Mike Hadz · January 11th, 2012, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by SSG Pate

Nice! Glad you have heat now.

now i feel like a real dumbass, i have problems thinking outside the box and or logically

03_StangGuy · January 11th, 2012, 11:38 AM

Always nice when its an easy fix. Better to have no heat than over heat your engine.

December 31st, 2011, 09:06 PM	#1
brendon557 Regular 2003 Mustang GT Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Soldotna, Alaska Posts: 57 iTrader: 0 reviews	Car cools down while driving? So every morning when I wake up for work I go start my car to let it warm up then I go get ready and head to work. The temp of my car before I leave is usually just below the half way temperature mark maybe a little less sometimes. But these past few days after I leave for work and get on the highway my car gets colder and after about 20 minutes it says its cold like if it were a gas odometer it would be on empty or almost empty. I don't understand why this is though. It can't be that cold put side (5 degrees). I topped the radiator off with antifreeze today and same thing happened on my way to work. Any ideas? __________________ 2003 Mustang GT My baby. Slowly working her up. Slowly because I am on a college budget

December 31st, 2011, 09:35 PM	#3
SSG Pate Premium Member 00 Mustang GT Vert/88 5.0 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,766 iTrader: 3 reviews	what is the Temperature in you cabin vents? if they are normal then I would say your gauge is acting up. __________________ Proud Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran Powered By MMR 4.75L Stroker, Tuned at Kurgan Motorsports

December 31st, 2011, 09:52 PM	#5
SSG Pate Premium Member 00 Mustang GT Vert/88 5.0 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,766 iTrader: 3 reviews	ok sounds to me like you have a sticking thermostat. change your thermostat and o ring and see if that cures it. __________________ Proud Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran Powered By MMR 4.75L Stroker, Tuned at Kurgan Motorsports

December 31st, 2011, 09:54 PM	#6
SSG Pate Premium Member 00 Mustang GT Vert/88 5.0 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,766 iTrader: 3 reviews	when a themostat sticks open it constantly runs coolant through the system not allowing it to warm properly or get to operating temp. If it stick shut then your engine heats up super hot and fast. __________________ Proud Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran Powered By MMR 4.75L Stroker, Tuned at Kurgan Motorsports

December 31st, 2011, 11:56 PM	#7
bullitt1680 Irregular 2001 Mustang Bullitt DHG Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,168 iTrader: 0 reviews	I would have to agree with SSG Pate __________________ Vortech V2 Non I/C 377rwhp and 365 rwtq

December 31st, 2011, 09:25 PM	#2
Mike Hadz Regular 2000 Gt Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 498 iTrader: 0 reviews	that's extremely odd, considering how cold it actually shows, if your car sits there idling in the garage it's not getting any cool air into the engine compartment, just warm air getting hotter and hotter, so the temp gauge should show warmer then if you were to drive for a moment and get some cool air flowing, but it would have no reason to show that cold.

January 11th, 2012, 02:25 AM	#9
number1gt Hardcore Enthusiast 2002 mustang gt Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,896 iTrader: 1 reviews	Glad to hear you got it fixed __________________ Rock stock

January 11th, 2012, 06:30 AM	#10
SSG Pate Premium Member 00 Mustang GT Vert/88 5.0 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,766 iTrader: 3 reviews	Nice! Glad you have heat now. __________________ Proud Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran Powered By MMR 4.75L Stroker, Tuned at Kurgan Motorsports

January 11th, 2012, 11:38 AM	#12
03_StangGuy I Poop Entirely Way Too Much Blown 03 GT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 6,917 iTrader: 0 reviews	Always nice when its an easy fix. Better to have no heat than over heat your engine. __________________

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