[avecuny]

When the temperature drops below -25 or -30 degrees C, the engine seems to have trouble keeping itself warm.

While it's normal operating temperature is usually around 80deg, it goes down to 60... or even 50. Running out of its optimal temp range for extended period of time probably makes it less fuel efficient, and maybe even cause it to run richer and dirtier.

Beside, even with the heating system on "broil" it's difficult to keep the cab warm.

I know people used to put cardboard in front of the radiator during winter to fix these kind of issues, but there must be a more elegant way to do it. Would there be a way to replace the thermostat, or somehow reprogram it to let less coolant run to the engine?

Car is a C230K 2002.

Thanks people! :thumbsup:

 

[zeet]

Nope, you put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator. What could be more elegant than that? It's cheap and reduces the amount of cooling air coming into the engine compartment.

 

[Check Codes]

I'd suggest just a portion of the radiator to start with, half at most. Check your results and then go from there.

If it's particularly rainy and the cardboard falls apart then the covers from cheap plastic binders work very well, too.

 

[avecuny]

Maybe you're right.

I'll try to find a piece of cardboard with some personality... i have a Captn Crunch cereal box almost empty... i guess it could work.

:thumbsup:

 

[avecuny]

Rainy?!? It's minus 30 right now. It wont rain for another 4 months.

 

[avecuny]

I got it fixed. The thermostat was actually stuck open (I got a check engine code too). Cost me 60$ for the new part, and i replaced it in 15 minutes. Anybody who can replace a light bulb can change the thermostat. Very easy fix!

 

[Buellwinkle]

You can always you duct tape over the grill, better than cereal boxes, duct tape fixes everything. Or you can do what I did and it worked out really well, move to a tropical or desert climate.

 

[2002c230]

I had a feeling your thermostat was stuck. These vehicles (or all vehicles) are designed to run without problems in extremely cold environments. As long as the thermostat is functioning correctly it will prevent increased coolant flow until the engine heats up to the correct operating temperature.

 

[Buellwinkle]

I'm just surprised it didn't throw a code. When it got cold here, down to 60f, my old 2002 C-coupe threw an Engine Coolant Temperature code and it was the thermostat.

 

[2002c230]

It is strange... Maybe his coolant temperature sensor is also bad?

 

[Attakay]

How did u change the thermostat?