Folks, how long does it take for your LS430 to heat up??

It seems that mine takes a solid 5 minutes to begin producing heat. Maybe I'm spoiled by the Volvo's incinerator heat that is somehow instantaneous from a cold start....

But the heat on the LS seems to take about 5 minutes to get to lukewarm, and close to 15 to get hot. Ambient temps are cold, but not frigid. Typically 25*F-40*F.

I"m thinking the thermostat is being sluggish to close, and it's taking a long time to heat up. It also seems to take a long time for the temperature gauge to move - several minutes before it moves from the "resting" point.

Thanks!

 

The t-stat on the LS has a rubber seal that closes off the radiator side of the circulation around the engine so the engine should be blowing warmer than air temp in 3 - 4 minutes. Where does your temp gauge needle point when the engine has been running for 10 - 15 mins.? The rubber seal is typically what deteriorates or rips allowing cold coolant to enter into the heater core area and prolonging the warm-up time. I'd either replace the t-stat (~$18) or replace the rubber seal of the t-stat.

 

Also, unless it's very cold outside 1 min is plenty for idling. It has been shown on modern engines that's it's better for the engine to start driving rather then sit and idle. Of course you don't mash it. Just drive easy and she will warm up more quickly. This is ideal. Circulating oil. Long periods of idling is bad for your cats and O2 sensors and engine.

 

Researches show idling the car for more than 2 minutes will push itself to eat through the lifetime of the engine.

 

Well... I dont' have time to sit and idle. I start it, put in in gear, and I'm off. And in less than a mile, I'm cruising at 70mph down an interstate. So it has no excuse to be "slow" to warm up. When my 5.9L diesel is producing more heat at the same temps, and in half the distance as the Lexus... I do have to wonder though. I don't push it hard when cold (that's not good for an engine) but I'm not gonna wait for it to warm up by idling.

It just seems to take a long time for that needle to come off the bottom and for the air to get warm. I'd say on average it takes 15-20 minutes to come to full operating temp. Usually by the time I get most of the way to the gym (a 15 minute drive) the heat is finally hot, but the engine isn't fully warm. That's more low-speed, in town driving (with a 5 minute highway blast to start).

Anyhow. I think I'll try a new thermostat and rubber gasketey thingy and see if that helps. Just seems ridiculous to freeze in the Lexus for 12 minutes with heated seats (damned leather) and the Ram I can be toasty in about 6 minutes... with only heat...

Thanks