Heat Indicator

[tczwoju]

Good morning Guy,

It is a poor weather now and it is cold so I have got a question.(Avensis 2003,VVTi,2 litre,T4)

When the temperature is about 5 or more on plus the heat indicator on front panel going up to proper level and it stops. But when it is quite cold such as -2 or plus 2 and I’m driving quickly, I noticed that indicator going to proper level then it goes to half of it and sometimes very low…but soon when I will slow down a little bit(or it become worm outside) it goes back to proper level(about half scale).Did anyone noticed this before .Is it normal. Car had a service a month ago, coolant is fine ….but Mechanic told me that coolant is prepared up to -45 degrees. Is this a reason that coolant will not get constantly hot?Car driving very well and hot air is soon when I start the engine.

Cheers

Wojciech

[Rossi46]

Hi Wojciech

From what I can gather your car seems normal.

When the outside air temperature is cold the temperature indicator will be lower than when it is warm outside.

.

As the engine temperature rises it will overcome this outside temperature and the coolant will heat up easily at low speed

When it's very cold outside and you travel quickly, the cold air rushing through the radiator cools the water temperature down.

Forgive me if this is not what you meant.

[tczwoju]

Hi Rossi,

Yes You have to have right but...is it normal.I had Carina E before and I did not notice this kind behaviour on it.But If you say this is fine.Great.

Thanks

Wojciech

[mountainman]

Hi guy's (sorry non PC)

This is smple thermo dynamics, when the engine is cold the thermostat ( similar to those on your rads in the house) is closed ie:-<5deg c the volume of coolant in the block is allowed to circulate OWNLY around the block with only a small amount of bypass to the rad. This is to allow a more rapid heat up of the block, above 5 the thermostat will begin to open gradualy and then the flow reverts to normal.If it was'nt done this way then the engine would take 50min+ before you would feel the in the cabin or the temp gauge move.

Hope this helps clear the mud abit

Cheers MOUNTAINMAN :baaa: :baaa:

only in wales can a sheep feel truly nervous

[tczwoju]

Hi Guys,

So if you mean that this is normal, what about engine, is it safe for engine. I’m worry about engine and fuel consume. When the indicator is low means that engine temperature is low (colder) when is on zero, engine is cold(or radiator), is not it?. I’m going to Poland it will be colder. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Cheers

Wojciech

[mountainman]

Hi,

This is normal due to the thermosat opening and the resulting coolant from the rad will cause the temp gauge to dip slightly as the cooler water passes the temp probe

hope this clears the mud a bit

Cheers MOUNTAINMAN

[Steve84]

All seams normal to me too. I noticed the exact same thing other month while on holiday in my previous 1.8vvt-i avensis.