My engine coolant would not warm up this morning. Normally the heater is belting out hot air within 2 - 3 miles. Today, 20 miles on the motorway and the heater was cool at best and the temperature guage was only just off the bottom mark (normally it sits firmly in the middle, vertical). Got into town traffic and the needle did move up a bit, and then fluctuated depending on whether I was stuck in traffic or moving, but it didn't get anwhere near its normal mark.

I think it could simply be that the coolant thermostat has got stuck 'open' but has anyone else experienced this and might it be something else?

Any other symptoms, I would guess that its just the cold weather. If the stat is stuck open the car will run cold all the time and only reach normal temp stuck in traffic.

No other symptons. Its a 1.4mpi that I've had for 3 years and it has ALWAYS warmed up to 'normal' inside 3 miles and the needle then sits there regardless of how I am driving and the outside temperature. I have checked the coolant level this morning and that is OK - exactly where it was when last checked 3 weeks ago.

I did stop to refuel today. For the first mile after the temp was warmer, but it soon cooled down and then warmed up a bit after being stuck in a queue for a few minites.

Thermostat or something else?

Sounds like the thermostat is indeed stuck open.

:iagree:

at least it's better than the thermostat being stuck closed!

With my 1.4 mpi, a faulty temperature sensor caused my car to stall and not want to restart for a while, leaving me sitting blocking traffic, ho hum. Seemingly this was because the engine flooded as it was trying to start as if from cold.

I booked mine in but regrettably had a three-week wait for an appointment. In that time, it got worse - stalling more often and taking longer to cool down/drain down before restarting, so I left it at home until I got the sensor replaced.

I can't say if this might be the cause of your problem, so just to let you know the symptoms when it was the problem with mine.

Regards

Mo

Stuck open thermostat gets my vote, strangely in my Fabia vRS the temperature gauge did move up to operating temperature but NOT BEYOND even though the thermostat had failed and was stuck (SHUT in my case )

I am actively looking into moving the temperature sensor somewhere else as the only way I found out there was a problem was when I ran out of coolant :(

New thermostat for you buddy, cheap as chips and easy to fit

Around about a tenner based on the invoice I've got here

Might need a bit of coolant too as no doubt you'll loose a bit of it, still cheaper than a new engine though

Got it booked into my local garage for tomorrow; hope it is just the 'stat

Fingers crossed.

My stat (fitted) was more than a tenner :(

Mo

Just a bump to ask if you'd let us know the outcome

Mo

Due into my garage this aftrenoon; yes - will let you know.

By the way; what is this 'bump'? I guess it is a form of reminder.

Due into my garage this aftrenoon; yes - will let you know.

By the way; what is this 'bump'? I guess it is a form of reminder.

Thank you

Yes, "bump" or :bump: is the means for bringing a post back up to the top of the list so that people will see it anew, or will read it again.

Hope this helps

Best

Mo

Sounds like the thermostat is indeed stuck open.

I also agree here

Yup i'd also go with that theory too

Arghhhh! - couldn't get out of the office. Also my Jabba rear ARB that was to be fitted at the same time has not arrived. It will all have to wait until Monday ...... watch this space.

Hi, eventually got things sorted yesterday! Yes it was the thermostat but not as simple as I thought.

The thermostat is fixed into a two part plastic housing by a pair of plastic clips/brackets. With age, heat, etc these harden and break. This happened, the thermostat moved sideways and got stuck open (at least we were all correct on that point).

Therefore I needed to have a complete new housing, with integral thermostat, fitted; about £35 for the part and a bit for labour (I used a friendly local mews garage so not too much).

Now all sorted and back to normal. NB> I have a 1.4mpi engine.

Also got the Jabba rear ARB fitted but haven't had a chance to explore any handling chnages yet. The ride seems a touch firmer and the rear more controlled but I guess that is to be expected.

Glad to hear its all sorted for you now.