Car not reaching operating temp

[Cobrac]

Not sure if anyone has any ideas.

I have a 1993/4 Corsa B 1.2

It seems to take at least 5 mins of driving for temp needle to move, when it does, it gets to 90, then sometimes goes back down a little, then back up to 90, the only time it goes past 90 a little, is if in traffic.

The heaters work fine, and everything else seems to be ok, where should I start to look do you think?

From some advice, I've just took off the top up cap, ran the engine with heaters on full, to the window, for 5 mins or so, then replaced header cap, to bleed system. The engine was running approx 15 mins and the temp guage did not move. Rad seemed cool too.

I have heard that on my model, you have to take off the cambelt etc if you want to change the thermostat...is that right?

Thanks in advance

[haydn1987]

could be that the thermostat is stuck open so that its always sending the water through the radiator.

chaining the thermostat is a pain in the backside yes you need to take the cambelt off to get to it.

how many miles has your car done have you ever replaced the cambelt/water pump are you planning on keeping your cart a long time?

if your answers are 80,000 plus miles never replaced cambelt or water pump and you want to keep the car aslong as possible. then you might aswell spend the money and do the cambelt water pump and thermostat at the same time as they need doing at around 80,000 miles.

[Cobrac]

Thanks Haydn.

The cars done 50k, had cambelt done 2k ago looking at the history. (was our nans before, so only done shopping runs since new)

Did think it could be the thermostat and it sounds a right pain. Are we causing any more damage using as is?

Many thanks

[haydn1987]

You shouldn't be causing any damage but these engines do get water condensation in the oil if they are only driven short jurneys and don't fully heat up, this will be worse in the winter.

condensation in the oil isn't a problem you will see it as white sludge under the oil cap it looks like mayo, just take the oil cap off once a week and clean it out. most people will tell you white sludge under the oil cap is headgasket failure but most of the time its just condesation because the engine doesn't get hot enough for the water to turn to steam and go through the breather pipe.

Ive heardn that some people put a piece of cardboard infront of thier radiator for the first few miles then take it out when it warms up.