Abnormally Low Water Temperature

[Cassbo]

Hi guys,

Just trying to nut out something strange that has been happening to my car... it never seems to get up to normal operating temperature (used to get to around half way on the OEM temp gauge)

These days it only gets into that "normal" area when driven hard. For example, last night I went for a drive and in 30 mins the needle was still only sitting a few millimetres above the lowest mark...

So... things I have done to my car that involves cooling:

R34 SMIC (makes a huge difference I'm sure lol)

42mm radiator

N1 water pump

Here are my thoughts so far:

Thermostat that is locked open

Faulty sensor

My questions:

What is the most cost effective way of checking what is faulty?

If not the above two problems, what else could it be?

Any help with my problem would be greatly appreciated

Cass

[blind_elk]

I suspect a partially open thermostat. Dime a dozen, so to speak. At least pull it out and check it. Costs next to nothing.

[DVS JEZ]

A thermometer would be a cheap way to check. Or a infrared thermometer if u can get one to use.

Or even cheaper turn the heater on and see if its hot like normal

[Cassbo]

A thermometer would be a cheap way to check. Or a infrared thermometer if u can get one to use.

Or even cheaper turn the heater on and see if its hot like normal

The heater has been running a little cooler than usual, only really noticed this recently as it gets colder

Seems step one for me will be to be to pull the thermostat out and give it a visual

Thanks guys

[turael]

If the car takes forever to warm up, broken thermostat !

[PM-R33]

Definetely thermostat. Had the same thing happen to mine (and fair enough the thermostat was 100,000km old), replaced thermostat and good as gold.