Q: Enging not reaching operating temperature and heater not getting hot

asked by on December 08, 2016

I can plug in my block heater at night on nights it reaches around 20 degrees outstide. On my programmer screen it shows engine temp at 130 degree when i turn it on. When i unplug the cord from the block heater while the truck is running, the temperature drops rapidly. Sitting at idle it will drop back into the 80's. I drive 30 minutes on the highway at 78mph to work and the engine temperature never got over 120-130 degrees and my heater never gets hot (mildy warm). When i come to a stop in town after the 30 minute drive i can watch my engine temp drop fairly quickly to 110. While it is ~20 degrees outside, I feel the engine should still stay within operating range around 200 degrees and my heater should be blowing hot air by then. My suspicion is a stuck thermostat. Can you provide insight to this issue? In the hotter days, the engine temp will climb over 200 and heater will get much warmer.

My car has 205000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

You need to have the cooling system fan clutch checked to see if it is keeping the fan running high speed even when cold. With engine idling with the engine cold you should have very low air flow from the cooling fan. If fan clutch with engine off is hard to turn then replace fan clutch and recheck temperature cooling after that.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I turn off the AdvanceTrac system?
Your truck is equipped with an AdvanceTrac system. The AdvanceTrac system is designed to keep your vehicle steady but when stuck, turning it off could be to your benefit. To turn of the AdvanceTrac system. Press the stability control button....
Car hard to start when warmed up
This is a very interesting problem. Usually cars are harder to start when cold. There are many reasons why this could happen. The most likely cause is that one of the electronic modules or sensors are starting to break down...
Van not starting - 1996 Ford E-150 Econoline Club Wagon
The fuel pressure would need to be checked to see if the fuel pump relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-relay-replacement) or pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) has gone bad. The relay is near the battery under the plastic cover with the computer relay. If you would like,...
I accidentally put expired motor oil in my car, will it damage my engine?
Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 2002 Subaru Outback. I don't think you should have any worries. As long as the oil did not have any contamination from water then it should be okay to use the expired...
I was told by a Honda Dealer that the axle seals must be replaced in the front. I want to get a second opinion.
The axle seals are pressed into the transaxle case and their purpose is simply to keep the transmission fluid from leaking out of the transmission (and keep dirt and water out of the transmission, too, of course). There is an...
Can using the wrong oil filter cause the oil pressure gasket to leak?
If the check engine light came on (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection), and the light was still on at the time the mechanic did the "diagnostic", it is impossible for there to "be nothing wrong". In particular, the check engine light will only illuminate...
Crankshaftpositionsensor
A failed crankshaft position sensor can cause symptoms like this. When you crank the engine, the engine control unit looks for a signal from the crankshaft position sensor to determine where each cylinder is. When the signal is received, the...
I’m seeing and smelling smoke and my traction control light is on.. is this a common problem? Also my ABS light blinks on occasion
Smoke from under the hood will be oil or coolant leaks. If I had to guess, I'd say you probably have some oil leaks that are getting oil on the exhaust manifold which burns when it hits the hot surface....
Where is the transaxle cooler lines located?
External coolers plumbed to the radiator were used in the 1999 TL model but not in later models. Consequently, there is no external cooler to tap into. Draining the transmission fluid and changing the filter is more than adequate. It...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2013 Chevrolet Spark
The The Chevy Spark nimbly walks the line between being functional and being totally adorable. In the spirit of mini cars past like the Ford Festiva and the Yugo, this spritely little creation offers improved safety combined with the tech...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Chevrolet Chevrolet has always had a good name when it comes to the vehicles they make, and that is doubly true for their SUVs. The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid has all of the great features that you would want from...
Top Automotive News & Stories: October 1-7
BMW i5 images leak, an ultra-lux Jeep, hydrogen-fueled Colorado ZH2, Fisker's electric future, record plug-in sales, NHTSA Road to Zero, and more.