Underheating Chim 500?!!

[garmin]

My Chim 500 takes ages to warm up. If I cruise above 70mph, the temp falls to 65 degrees or even less on a cold day. Even booting it around doesn't get it warm. The faster I go, the cooler it runs so I am reluctant to play hard as the book says limit the revs etc until the temp reaches 70.

The temp does rise to the usual 90 - 95 in traffic and the fans cut in ok. Would I be right in suspecting the thermostat is stuck open? If so where do I get a new one and how hard is it to fit? Alternatively, can I fix the old one?

[chim500nj]

When you start the car does it go straight onto the motorway? I often do this with mine early in the morning when the weather is cool...temp rarely gets to 70 cruising on the quiet A3 north at 6.30am..

This is pretty normal, as on the motorway it takes a long time for the engine to warm up.

Once your car has reached 90 in traffic and you get bakc on the open road does the temp drop back down to less than 70? also how long does this take?

[Bob the Planner]

It could be that your thermostat is stuck open - Happened to mine in freezing cold weather and I did not want to put the heater on as mine was dropping to 50 ish.

The way to check is start the car and check the radiator hose after a couple of minutes - if it is warm then the thermostat is open (or even missing )

Take care not to leave it too long as the water will be hot and you will burn yourself.

[garmin]

Normally don't do motorways as it's no fun! Even country roads from a cold start don't seem to get the beastie warmed up. I was on a motorway blast a couple of weeks ago after sitting in traffic for 20 mins and the engine was cooking by the time I hit the motorway (well into the nineties). Within 15 mins, temp was down to just less than 70.

I will try the hand on hose trick and let you know the result.

It's only been happening for the last couple of months, so something has changed!!...

Thanks for the tips so far guys.

[MAC5]

Mines the same when i am straight onto a motorway, Otherwise to 90 within 5 mins.

Mac

[colinrob]

My temperture gauge reads 10 degree under when checked by Top Cats ( 98 Chim 500)

[wacjac]

mine runs 65-70 when on a run unless i switch the lights on then i instantly gain 5 degrees!!!!

[beano500]

wacjac said:

mine runs 65-70 when on a run unless i switch the lights on then i instantly gain 5 degrees!!!!

Perhaps if you lock the doors and turn the hazards on it will go back down again!