Thermostat question 97 RL 3.5
11-08-2011, 12:51 PM
#1
Dave in tahoe
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Tahoe CA
Age: 56
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thermostat question 97 RL 3.5
Hi All,
I have a '97 RL 3.5 that 'seems' to take a bit long to warm up (maybe 5 minutes or 3 to 4 miles on cool (40 degree F) day, plus another unique cooling issue --- on long downhill grades (say: 5 miles or more say at 40 degrees F)) the temp gauge goes from 'normal' (mid range, horizontal needle) down to 'C' --- seems like it's cooling down on downhill runs where I am off the gas.
Is the second condition normal?
It seems like this could be a symptom of a thermostat that is stuck open.
In addtion my around town mileage is just awful.
I should probably pull it and check it out. Would you recommend Acura parts or would a NAPA aftermarket par be ok.
Tanks in advance.
Dave
I have a '97 RL 3.5 that 'seems' to take a bit long to warm up (maybe 5 minutes or 3 to 4 miles on cool (40 degree F) day, plus another unique cooling issue --- on long downhill grades (say: 5 miles or more say at 40 degrees F)) the temp gauge goes from 'normal' (mid range, horizontal needle) down to 'C' --- seems like it's cooling down on downhill runs where I am off the gas.
Is the second condition normal?
It seems like this could be a symptom of a thermostat that is stuck open.
In addtion my around town mileage is just awful.
I should probably pull it and check it out. Would you recommend Acura parts or would a NAPA aftermarket par be ok.
Tanks in advance.
Dave
Last edited by daveintahoe; 11-08-2011 at 12:54 PM.
11-08-2011, 12:58 PM
#2
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,634
Received 2,328 Likes
on
1,308 Posts
It may indeed be stuck open. A coolant flush wouldn't hurt either.
11-08-2011, 01:01 PM
#3
Racer
My car takes about 5 minutes to reach operating temperature. As for the going to C part, that is weird. Maybe you have air in your system? Do you hear any weird noises when you apply throttle, such as water moving around or gurgling?
11-08-2011, 01:12 PM
#4
Dave in tahoe
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Tahoe CA
Age: 56
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, haven't heard any weird noises --- but that question brings something to mind: someone told me '...the way to check a stuck open thermostat is when the car is cold - grab on to the return hose to radiator and see if you feel any pulsing'.
I tried this and couldn't feel any pulsing (which I guess he means circulation on cold).
I tried this and couldn't feel any pulsing (which I guess he means circulation on cold).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
navtool.com
5G TLX Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
31
11-16-2015 08:30 PM
lanechanger
Member Cars for Sale
4
10-13-2015 10:56 AM
navtool.com
1G RDX Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
1
09-25-2015 05:15 PM
