Diagnostic? 

"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-) 12/05/2016 at 01:45 • Filed to: None

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Is this something to be worried about? I was driving through Northern California all day and it couldn’t have been below 50 F. It’s normally a little on the cold side, but not this far. I checked the coolant reservoir and it’s good. I’m gonna wait till tomorrow to check the radiator level though.

For your time have a beautiful pic of Cali.

Chasaboo > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 12/05/2016 at 02:03

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Thermostat.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Chasaboo 12/05/2016 at 02:19

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Agreed. I found that a failed thermostat on my German cars would show low coolant temp, whereas on my American car it would overheat; you can guess which I preferred. My current car is Japanese so I have no idea what the indication will be when it fails, particularly since it doesn’t have a temperature gauge, just red and blue idiot lights.

Tazio, Count Fouroff > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 12/05/2016 at 02:42

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If your thermostat has some age and/or miles on it, looks like it’s time

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Chasaboo 12/05/2016 at 03:44

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How urgent is it that I replace it? Because I’m in Cali and on my way to Texas. Also it was running all day so wouldn’t the thermostat be open/closed (allowing coolant into the radiator) anyway?

atfsgeoff > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 12/05/2016 at 03:45

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Yep, thermostat is stuck partially or fully open.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Tazio, Count Fouroff 12/05/2016 at 03:46

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Does the thermostat close during normal operation? Because it was running almost all day for my road trip. I’d think it’d just continually let coolant to the radiator, but I don’t know for sure.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > atfsgeoff 12/05/2016 at 03:49

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How urgent is it that I need to replace it? I’m in Cali and am driving to TX so 1k plus miles. Then again I guess this is the kind of thing I could do in an Advance auto parts parking lot.

atfsgeoff > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 12/05/2016 at 04:05

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I’d replace it sooner rather than later, just in case the thermostat decides to stick closed.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 12/05/2016 at 07:31

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If it is not going into the C or taking forever to heat up, then you are probably fine. That looks like it is operating at normal temperature. The thermostat is certainly the first culprit to look to if this is abnormal though.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 12/05/2016 at 07:32

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stuck open is never an issue unless you need the heat and it isnt working. But if it became stuck closed, you would have a real problem!

bhtooefr > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 12/05/2016 at 07:34

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If the coolant temperature at the thermostat is too cool (by being excessively cooled by the radiator), it’ll close, let the engine coolant heat up, and re-open, in normal operation.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 12/05/2016 at 08:08

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Thermostat stuck open? Don’t want it running too cold and with the dead spot that most temperature gagues have from like 165-210, there’s a good chance it’s not near operating temperature.

getFuckedHerb > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 12/05/2016 at 10:21

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The thermostat open and closes during normal operation. It’s goal is to keep your engine at operating temp (typically 195-205 degrees F). The cooling loop is designed that “CLOSED” is normal (bypassing the radiator). It opens the thermostat once it hits a given temperature to utilize the cooling. While it’s in the 50's isn’t killing you, if it gets COLD out where ever you’re going you’ll not have much heat.. Also not ideal to run the motor outside the ideal temp range. If it’s a computer controlled car you may be getting less MPG than you could as a lot of things are triggered off coolant temp in a modern motor (it waits for the car to warm up).

If you’re going to texas and it’s easier to get it fixed in texas you’re likely not going to do any major damage on the way but don’t NOT fix it.