Car Not Warming Up In Cold Mornings

[smasha]

Hey folks

I have a question regarding something that's been bugging me for quite some time.

I drive to work very early in the morning (5am) in my R33 GTST, and have noticed that the car takes aaages to warm up properly (by properly, I mean temp gauge past 1/4, oil gauge ~4). And by ages I mean 20 minutes.

During the day, it only takes around 5 minutes of light driving.

When I first turn it on, i let it idle for around 30 seconds before driving.

Mods: Full exhaust, Pod (for now ), boost solenoid grounding

[LatinR33]

I do suggest you let it idle for more than 30 seconds before driving. On a cold morning especially now as its freezing turn your car on and just let it warm up while your getting ready to go to work once you get back to your car she is all warm and ready to take you to work

[ferni]

Maybe your thermostat needs replacing.... it could be stuck open..

[smasha]

Cheers for the replies guys

Maybe your thermostat needs replacing.... it could be stuck open..

I've thought of that, but wouldn't that also mean it would take a long time to Warm up during day hours as well.

It's only like that in early mornings (ambient temp ~10C)

[No Crust Racing]

I have a similar issue, and it's obviously not as noticeable on a warmer day as the ambient air is of a higher temp, as such it warms the engine faster. I suspect that the thermo is busted/stuck open and would like to check and replace as necessary, has any seen/done this process? I'm looking for a tutorial. I can drive from my place to work (around 20mins) after letting my car idle for 5mins and the temp guage will only J'just' be scrapping to the 1/4 mark, it usually sits a bit under half when it's nice and warm.

[SECURITY]

-undo bottom radiator hose off the thermostat housing, you'll only really need to undo the top clamp (thermostat housing is just behind where your water pump is)

-remove the 3 bolts off your thermostat housing

-remove the thermostat (it just pulls out)

-replace thermostat and make sure you get a new gasket for the housing, it costs around $2 for one.

NOTE: if the person who had it before you used gasket maker, make sure you clean it all off before putting the new gasket in. i used the new gasket plus a bit of gasket maker.. i dont see the harm.

-put it all back together in the reverse order... it shouldnt take more than 10 - 15mins, you'll lose a bit of coolant out of the head so have some ready to refill.

-top the water up, start the car, top up some more then bleed your system immediatley... then top up some more if needed.

dont forget to top it up some more.