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First Drive of the Year

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Pythias

Pythias

Jedi Knight
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I waited until today to take the first drive of the year. It's really pretty out, but cold, at least for the Pacific Northwest.

I have the water temp sensor in the block, not the radiator. I could see the thermostat opening and closing for the whole 40 miles or so. It would climb up to about 175, then plunge to 162, up and down, up and down. by the end of the drive it was stabilizing, but it's something I've not seen before.

Other than that anomaly, it was all great. (I really love my new transitions driving glasses too. they will darken even behind a windscreen (top is on)
 
Bill: Might be a good idea to replace that thermostat-- don't believe they should do that and it may be a prelude to sticking.

Kurt.
 
What was your outside air temp?
Is it possible that when the themostat opened allowing the circulation very cold air from radiator to flow past themostate at a tempature low to cause it to close? Truckers use radiator vents, and I have seen people place cardboard in front of radiators trying to get water hot enough to make the heaters work.
 
Took my first 2011 drive today too (but not in my Spridget.....it's not street-legal).

My 165F thermostat barely kept the engine warm enough to idle smoothly.

This is Cranberry Lake here in nw New Jersey. It's well-frozen. Temps were about 25F and there were a few folks out on the lake ice-fishing.

mg-cl-jan-2011-e.jpg


mg-cl-jan-2011-f.jpg
 
Outside air temp was in the 20s F. I think cardboard over the radiator is the solution, if i take it out again in this weather.
 
If it is under 32 degrees at leat half the radistor should be covered. If too much add some or delete some if reverse, Easy to do. must have the engine running at temp.
 
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