I know it's only got 3 cylinders but my engine seems to be taking time to reach the 90 degree temperature mark, especially with the heater on setting "2".

When it does get there it can drop off with the fan on setting 2 even after a lengthy motorway journey!

I had the same issue with my Lupo 16v and the Thermostat was stuck open, what's the easiest way to tell if it is stuck open and not allowing the engine to reach the correct temperature quickly enough?

Or is this just a downside of donating a cylinder to South America?

Edit: I will say that as soon as you hit the motorway it jumps up quicker but if I'm just driving around town it takes an age.

Edited 2 January, 201016 yr by nick_uk

I know it's only got 3 cylinders but my engine seems to be taking time to reach the 90 degree temperature mark, especially with the heater on setting "2".

When it does get there it can drop off with the fan on setting 2 even after a lengthy motorway journey!

I had the same issue with my Lupo 16v and the Thermostat was stuck open, what's the easiest way to tell if it is stuck open and not allowing the engine to reach the correct temperature quickly enough?

Or is this just a downside of donating a cylinder to South America?

Edit: I will say that as soon as you hit the motorway it jumps up quicker but if I'm just driving around town it takes an age.

Hello Nick

I assume this only happens while it is cold outside ? Yes I thought so !

It won't really matter what setting you have on the fan setting, this will not make any difference to how quick it will warm up, yes you might have a sticking

thermostat, but I bet its just down to the outside temp.

If you are doing just short journeys, put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator and that will let it warm up a bit quicker, but don't leave it in while

on the motorway.

Radiotwo

Hmm well my old 4 pot in the Lupo never used to do it after I got the sticky thermostat replaced, could have the heaters on full pelt and the temp wouldn't climb down in winter.

Well my grandad it pretty damn good if not the bo****ks at making things out of aluminium down at his factory so I'll see if I can get him to make me a custom panel to go in front of the radiator. Also VW called me in for a free check-up so I'll have them diagnose it too.

Cheers mate.

I've had similar problems with my 1.4mpi-engined car in the cold weather. Because I do a lot of open road driving, I find it takes ages to warm up, especially if I'm using the heater. I did have the thermostst repaired a couple of years ago, which helped a bit but not a lot. It's not so bad round town, as the air is passing through the radiator more slowly.

My Father had a similar problem with his Rover 800 a few years ago too.

In the old days you could get radiator 'muffs' to cover part of the radiator and let the engine warm up quicker.

Anyway, what I've done is make up something similar out of plywood and cable ties to cover the middle of the lower grille.

It seems to help a bit, and I can have the car a little bit warmer inside now.... Previously I would be wearing several layers and shivering.

I find it's a little bit of the opposite for me there! On the motorway it jumps up to temperature quickly but just driving around town it takes longer to warm up.

I've got a new thermostat laying around somewhere, always keep spare parts, though I will try blocking air from reaching the radiator first to see if this helps.