vh commodore not getting hot

[aussie_macca]

hey all...fairly new on here...dont know if i should be concerned or not but my vh doesnt seem to really heat up, it only gets just above cold...and by "just" i mean there is the first line.....then another line a few mm past that....then the big gap for normal operating temps...then another line....then the red...then the final line........well this sits on the line before the big gap or sometimes a mm below it.....took it to an auto elec and he pointed some laser thermometer thing at it and said it was the same as the guage as far as running cool....ive put a new thermostat in it and flushed the radiator but yeah im just wondering if its anything to worry (a concern) or if it doesnt really matter...cheers. josh....by the way its a blue 202 and runs at the same temp on gas/petrol and in hot/cold conditions it barely effect it with or without heater or aircon on.

[ari666]

the nope, thats where mine sits. i worry when it goes above that cos' it is usually followed by pinging.

[aussie_macca]

cheers mate.....ive just heard of engines getting damaged when they dont reach a proper operating temp and wasnt sure if that meant dead cold or just not very warm....still a comfort to know its not a one off thing lol..thanks..josh

[shiftySLE]

hi, mine doesn't get far past where yours does too. the only thing is i gotten so use to it that it was right in the middle of the normal operating temp(the big gap) one day and i don't know if it was overheating or not, so i checked it out and all was good under the hood. I think gauges in old cars, sorry classic cars as our are aren't really all that accurate unless you get them rewired and the rest of it. That's whats make them better to drive than new cars, you actually have to think about what is wrong with them instead of just looking at lights and gauges and hearing beeps here there and everywhere. Had a few before and still the same thing.

[aussie_macca]

hey all....at first i wasnt concerned and was only asking out of interest but now im becoming a little worried.......i took the car for a 20 min drive yesterday after letting it heat up and opened the bonnet to see if there was a gush or warm air to see if it was still cold.....not only was there no warm air but i can hold the radiator lines and they are not hot at all, i can hold my hand on the rocket cover and its barely luke warm and the real concern is the water lines going to the converter arent warm enough to stop it freezing because even after going for a drive it had that ice all over it and since its a brand new gas system and he said the warranty will be void if the converter freezes im getting a bit anxious. like i said it has a brand spanking new thermostat in it cos the gas guy advised me that would help but i need to know if there is a way to warm it up...any help would be appreciated...thanks...josh

[ari666]

well, if you can hold the rocker cover and it isnt warm, then the engine isnt hot...

sounds to me like your cooling system is running very well as far as i know, the converter just needs water to get to it, hot water isnt crucial. (willing to be corrected)

the converters are not at all flimsy, they can take a bit of a knocking/freezing. if you are worried about water getting to it then take off a hose while it is running. most likely you will get wet, but at least you will know.

or try taking the radiator cap off while it is running and watch the pretty bubles for a few minutes. the water level will prolly drop a bit when the thermostat is opened then you will see the water moving. if it is moving then it is working.

i have never met anyone before, worried about their engine being to cold. lol. this is a first :P

[aussie_macca]

yeah ive never worried about it being cold....ever.....its only since i have had the gas put on and am worried about the warranty being void for the converter freezing......yes the water level drops.....yes there is water getting to the converter.....but the water getting there isnt warm in the slightest......but yeah it seems to be a kick arse cooling system lol....so are there any ways to warm it up?

[ari666]

hmmm, maybe the mixer is actually cooling the water?!?! thats just crazy enough to be true. is your mixer 'icing up'? if not then no stress.

umm, it should warm up in a few minutes with the cap off. you are basically dropping the cooling system pressure by 13 psi by taking the cap off so it warms up in a flash. maybe try a lower rated cap?! i wouldnt suggest it. or a higher rated theromstat. one that opens a bit later. giving the water in the engine more time to heat up.

also, make sure your heater/demister isnt circulating cos' that'll drop the temp a bit too. so have it totally off.

other than that im out

[aussie_macca]

i think ill give the different thermostat a go. cheers mate. josh

[mondy888]

could be your thermostat?