3.8 Engine not heating up

[Fbird98]

Recently I have noticed the temp gauge on my 3.8 engine barely comes off the left hand side even after many miles of stop and go traffic and highway driving. I tried installing a new 190 degree thermostat believing the old one might be stuck open or opening too soon, but after replacing, the temp still does not advance. I also checked the electric cooling fans and they do not appear to be coming on when the motor is cool.
I am concerned that a cold engine will keep it from operating at peak efficiency and also lower gas mileage. Anyone have an idea what might cause this condition besides the items I have alredy checked?

Thanks

[nascar24jd]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

Maybe the gauge is not accurate? Does the radiator cap and top hose feel hot to the touch after driving?

Anyway, cool is much better then hot.

[RadRacer]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

Sounds to me like your fuse is blown. Replace it, and you should see your temps jump upto 210ish :D

[Fbird98]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

Which fuse are you referring to?

[RadRacer]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

Which fuse are you referring to?

I have no clue. All I know is that when that happens to other people on here, everyone claims it's the fuse. I'll see if I can figure it out really quick, but I may not be able to. I know it's one in the fuse panel, not under the hood, so look under there and see if one's blown.

[BobbyZ72]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

does the heater blow hot? plug a scanner in and see what it says the engine temp is.

[Ace]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

does the heater blow hot? plug a scanner in and see what it says the engine temp is.

There is no sence in asking if the engine feels hot as if it defies the laws of physics. Trust me the engine is heating up to normal. It is an issue with your guage.

[slow6]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

or sensor
or wiring
but probably the sensor/gauge

[TheV6Bird]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

I have no clue. All I know is that when that happens to other people on here, everyone claims it's the fuse. I'll see if I can figure it out really quick, but I may not be able to. I know it's one in the fuse panel, not under the hood, so look under there and see if one's blown.

I am currently having the same issue....my 3.8 runs fine, but the temp gauge only goes up about 2mm above 160.

I just checked the fuses in the panel, and so far all of the fuses are intact.

Could it be the thermostat, or the temperature sensor?

[firechicken3800]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

honestly i think it's just a pontiac thing. mine does the same when it's cold outside, like 40 degrees or colder. along with a buddies formula, his did that all the time. to be honest i think it's just something normal for these cars. im not sure how they managed to get the engines to run a lot cooler when it's cold outside, but if it's cold this is quite typical. unless you're running this cold when it's warm outside like 50's or higher outside, then id check into seeing whats wrong. otherwise, our engines should run cold when its cold outside, atleast from what ive noticed with these.

[nascar24jd]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

Hey Firechicken3800, you hit the nail on the head. When it is cool out my Firebird runs pretty cool, below 160 most of the time. Once the weather gets a bit warm she runs right at 180. T-stat is good, all else is good.

Anyway, cooler is better then hotter.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

170-200, 210 is fine for operating temperature. Mine doesn't get any warmer than 1/8ish above the bottom line, but i've been told it's just normal.

[BLLDOGG]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

its not normal guys

[TheV6Bird]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

its not normal guys

Yeah I'm going to change the thermostat tomorrow and see what that does; I've sold my 3.4 and now I'm driving my bro's 3.8 so I'm trying to get a few kinks out of it.

[nascar24jd]

Re: 3.8 Engine not heating up

its not normal guys

I know, but the HOT season in Miami is right around the corner. By then it will run right at 180 all the time.