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Are these cars slow to warm up?
Topic Started: Oct 30 2012, 11:58 AM (1,589 Views)
going88mph
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[ *  * ]
2000 Geo Metro 1.3L. 80K on the odometer. This car takes at least 20 minutes to reach operating temperature on a 45 degree (F) day. I'm saying, I can drive to the store for 10 minutes, come out in 5 minutes, drive home, and 10 minutes later the car is just beginning to get warm air in the heater.

Is this typical? Maybe a stuck thermostat?

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clarkdw


You must have a stuck thermostat or a low temp one. Mine is a 3/5 but I am getting heat from the heater within about one block. 10 minutes and it is ez bake oven warm in the car. I can't imagine that the 4 cyl would be that much different.
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idmetro
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Sounds like it's time for a thermostat change. It's also possible the previous owner may have removed the thermostat...
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starscream5000
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Got 70 MPG?

On both of my 3/5's it only takes 3.5 miles to get them fully up to temp (at least up to 195). This distance just happens to be the distance from my home to the parkway on-ramp. I DO have grill blocks on both cars though, but that shouldn't make a difference in warmup times by very much anyway...
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cwatkin


I had a stuck open thermostat on one of my engines. It would warm up at low speeds/idle and then the temp would drop when I had it out on the highway to where the gage would barely even register. Keep an eye out for this type of behavior when driving. If the needle moves up and down depending on speed and load, you probably need a new thermostat. The part is cheap and also get a new gasket and RTV it in place. It takes no time to change. Cleaning up the mating surfaces of the housing are the longest part of the job, otherwise, I could change one in like 2 minutes.

There are two bolts and then the housing pulls right off.

Conor
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paul11211


starscream5000
Oct 31 2012, 08:25 AM
I DO have grill blocks on both cars though, but that shouldn't make a difference in warmup times by very much anyway...
What do you mean grill blocks? Are you blocking the radiator to make it run hotter?
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nerys
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Grr

with my 94 xfi. ilding in freezing temps it never warms up. evern. (stopped at 40 minutes gave up)

once I "DRIVE" in 1-1.5 miles its at indicated operating temperature and I have heat.
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clarkdw


paul11211
Oct 31 2012, 10:40 AM
starscream5000
Oct 31 2012, 08:25 AM
I DO have grill blocks on both cars though, but that shouldn't make a difference in warmup times by very much anyway...
What do you mean grill blocks? Are you blocking the radiator to make it run hotter?
Grill block 100% and air dam. In very cold weather I also block a major portion of the rad itself with cardboard for my highway commute. The grill block is done for mileage improvement but also aids in winter warm up.

Posted Image
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Turbo Dan-O
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Obsessive Car Detailer

clarkdw
Oct 31 2012, 12:48 PM
The grill block is done for mileage improvement but also aids in winter warm up.
:gp I noticed a BIG difference in how fast my car got up to temp after the grill block.

Posted Image
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clarkdw


Turbo Dan-O
Oct 31 2012, 01:49 PM
clarkdw
Oct 31 2012, 12:48 PM
The grill block is done for mileage improvement but also aids in winter warm up.
:gp I noticed a BIG difference in how fast my car got up to temp after the grill block.


Recycling old pics like me? No LSI composites.

Edited by clarkdw, Oct 31 2012, 04:56 PM.
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Car Nut
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My 1994 3/5 has good heat in less than 2 mi. Tennis shoe melting by 4-5 mi. :lol
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

I had a grill block once (along with numerous other MPG mods) , but my grille block screwed me once. The grill block was the second best mpg mod I got on Christine besides the 3Tech cam and gear combo. On my way back from Geos on the Gulf 2010, the fan quit working causing me to overheat and have several stops trying to figure out the problem.

Blocking the front end and making it rounder helps with aerodynamics, but the fan will run more. When it fails, it fails when you can't afford it.
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paul11211


Does it make that big of a difference in the mileage? Thanks.
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Turbo Dan-O
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Obsessive Car Detailer

clarkdw
Oct 31 2012, 04:54 PM
Turbo Dan-O
Oct 31 2012, 01:49 PM
clarkdw
Oct 31 2012, 12:48 PM
The grill block is done for mileage improvement but also aids in winter warm up.
:gp I noticed a BIG difference in how fast my car got up to temp after the grill block.


Recycling old pics like me? No LSI composites.



:lol Maybe... Your one to be talkin Clark. Look at your sig!!! :P Oh, I have been wanting to say that for a while now! :lol :lol :lol

paul11211
Oct 31 2012, 09:02 PM
Does it make that big of a difference in the mileage? Thanks.



Oh yea! Faster warm ups and more aero=good! :thumb
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

I have two 3/5s,
Both have 195* thermostats,
the 99 takes 8+ miles for the engine to warm up to operating temp. in the cold (sub 45*) weather,
the 93 takes 2-3 miles to warm up on the same day.
Why?
Your SWAG is as good as mine.
I've checked all that I can think of.
Same coolant,
the 99 radiator is slightly larger than the 93,
same thermostat,
same fan,
same engine, yes, both engines are late model,
one Xfi cam (93)
one standard cam (99)
The 93 fan actually comes on earlier (205*) than the 99 (212*) measured at radiator neck with digital thermometer. I once read that there are 2 fan switches available for the car, so that may answer that issue,
Same oil,
Same oil filter,
Same trans oil,
93 has a smaller grill block than the 99, so that is counter to the my personal logic,

and the heater in the 99 is not nearly as hot as the 93, but that is a non-issue here.

When you figure yours out, let me know, maybe I overlooked something.
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