I notice that my car barely reaches the warm spot on the gauge and hangs out either Cold or a fraction above it, even after driving it hard for 30-40 minutes. I have an intake and the engine bay gets alot of cool air, especially not that it's like 20 degrees in Jersey regularly.

I also notice that the heater doesn't get really hot either. If the temperature goes up warm, the heater works well... If it remains in the cold side, the heater barely warms up.

Is this a problem?!?!?

 

I would say your theromostat. It should reach about halfway up the gauge then stay there after running the engine for a short amount of time.

 

Isnt the car supposed to overheat with a bad thermostat?

 

You've definitely got a thermostat problem.





So do I.

 

it can either stay stuck close or stay open. mine warms up in 2 minutes or less on these 0 degree days.

 

Or you can have the problem you're having. Your stat is stuck open. If it was stuck closed, your engine would overheat, even in the winter.

 

is the only downfall to a stuck open Thermostat, that I dont have heat?

 

Wow. 2 minuntes is really quick. i live in colorado and wait a good 5-7 minutes before driving. its halfway warm by the time i start driving. I used to get some bad hesitations if it wasnt all the way warm but i got a used maf and that seemed to fix the problem

 

Well if you want the heater to blow warm air all the time, you need to get a new stat or a higher temp stat..i would think that your max might run a lil sluggish that cold maybe a lil rich...I replace mine every winter i use a 185-190 deg..and summer time i put a 160-165 deg stat in....but thats just me

 

160-165 is a little cold for a street car. Any drive ability issues?

 

Hell.. not in 105 deg summers with 90% humidity..

 

Why would you replace your Thermostat every year??

I havent had to replace my thermostat sine the car came off the lot in 1995 haha, unless they replaced it as part of the service on the waranty and i dont member...Maybe im lucky but replacing the thermostat in ANY car once a year is overkill...

 

Stock temp I believe is 180 or 190 if you go colder during the summer months are there any advantages / disadvantages ?

 

i just changed my thermostat today. i had the same issue as you, op. only my car heated to normal temperatures, then after say an hour of driving on the highway, it dropped to cold. my heat went away. i would come to a stop and it would rise back to normal temp, and my heat would come back.

i changed the thermostat, and it runs fine.

 

My car takes a lil while to warm up. But eventually does warm up. I have never had a problem with heat but when i am on the highway..the gauge temperature drops below normal then goes back to normal when i come to a stop. the car also seems to be leaking coolant from that area but i have been unable to find the leak.

Do i need a thermostat?

 

Nope, you need a water pump.

 

I thought that too....but the engine doesnt overheat or anything. It jus drops a little below normal. How can i tell its the waterpump. My mech can do the job but has been unable to diagnose himself. He is not a nissan dealer so i think thats why he hasnt really found da problem. Besides...i can ride on a bad pump for a long time wit these cars.

 

once again, crisis averted thanks to the forum!
I changed my thermostat (which is uncomfortable as heck by the way) and the issue was resolved!

Thanks guys!

 

anytime!!

 

I have this EXACT issue! How much was the thermostat and is it a pretty easy, common sense install?

 

thermostat is pretty cheap from autozone and easy to install. However u need to drain the engine of all coolant or prepare to have a couple of quarts all over yur driveway