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GS400 Winter Problems

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Old Dec 24, 2004 | 11:24 PM
  #1  
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Default GS400 Winter Problems

Maybe I am paranoid, I just got my car back from getting it aligned. They had it for 5 days b/c they messed up the rear eccentrics and had to order new ones.
During the time the temp dropped over 20 degrees.
It is now mid 30's and it seems to be idleing high
In park 1400 rpm
In Drive 950 rpm
In drive it usually idled at approx 600 rpm.
And the car never gets to the temp I am used to.
It is just getting to the line above the C.
Could the thermostat be stuck open?
IS that why it is idling high?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Last edited by lexasgs400; Dec 24, 2004 at 11:24 PM.
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Old Dec 25, 2004 | 09:57 AM
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Sound very much like the car's thermostat is opened.
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Old Dec 25, 2004 | 03:02 PM
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Do you mean stuck open?
It is in the mid 50's today and it did warm up a bit, and idle dropped to 800 in drive
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Old Dec 25, 2004 | 03:55 PM
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Yeah. Usually the temperature gauge should be right at the middle mark or close to it. You are lucky that your car's thermostate stucked open. I have not look into my GS4's engine bay to see it is an easy job to replace the thermostat or not. Anyway, I suggest you get it to a reputable shop to have it replace, but not necessary right away, since it won't hurt your car much. It is cold out there right now to to any work on the car. Good luck.
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 02:32 AM
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yeah i wuold tend to think so too. usually the needle should be in right under the middle point. i have the trd's t-stat, and it's pointing a bit lower, but yours is way low.

to replace it, you will have to take off the intake air duct. then you see the silver thing (triangular) with 3 10mm bolts on each end. loosen them, and get a pan ready at the bottom, pull it out and coolant leaks out with the t-stat inside. put the new one in (if this is really the reason), and put everything back, add coolant, done
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 07:58 AM
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I pulled the thermostat out yesterday and just as suspected the rubber inside the thermostat had blown out
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by lexasgs400
I pulled the thermostat out yesterday and just as suspected the rubber inside the thermostat had blown out
good that you pinpoint the problem. i don't think it's too expensive of a replacement
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