Slow warm up on AU3

private9 · 24-08-2007, 01:14 PM

Hi All,

I've searched, and I do remember a thread about this a while ago, but haven't had much luck.

Basically I've noticed that my AU3 I6 seems to take forever to warm up compared to other cars I've owned, or even compared to EF/EL's I've had, as well as the AU2 that I'm driving at the moment.

As the majority of our driving is very short trip stuff, quite often the poor car will go for days without ever really warming up. Meaning that firstly the heater doesn't warm up much during our short drives, and secondly the engine's mostly running cold so it uses alot more fuel that it needs to.

I remember reading something a while ago about a way to speed up the warm up time, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was.
From memory, the particular thread I recall, said that this was an AU3 specific thing.

Any suggestions, as I'm sure alot of people would be interested in ways of changing this?

Thanks,

Justin.

**Mechan1k** · 24-08-2007, 02:51 PM

Have you checked that your thermostat isn't jammed open ... this is one of the main causes for slow warm-up time.

Make sure you have the correct thermostat as well (as there is LPG specific ones that allow coolant through to stop the LPG freezing) ... and then there's the Motorcraft one for petrol engines as well.

private9 · 24-08-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Have you checked that your thermostat isn't jammed open ... this is one of the main causes for slow warm-up time.

Make sure you have the correct thermostat as well (as there is LPG specific ones that allow coolant through to stop the LPG freezing) ... and then there's the Motorcraft one for petrol engines as well.

Thanks mate, hadn't checked that. I test by removing, and putting the thermostat on the stove in water, and wait for it to open as the water heats don't I?

I'm possibly going LPG shortly, so I might just leave it till then if they're going to be chaing it anyway.

**Mechan1k** · 24-08-2007, 02:58 PM

yeah ... if jammed open though ... you will see it open when you remove it when cold anyway.

The thermostat starts opening slowly below the 92 deg C mark ... and should be fully open by 92 Deg C ... theoretically.

FGII-XR6 · 24-08-2007, 02:59 PM

when you pull it out you might find no guts in it too. there are still idiots around that think the more water flow the better and rip the guts out to stop overheating with a blocked radiator. when the radiator finally gives up the butchered thermostat remains not good :(

Dark Horse · 24-08-2007, 08:25 PM

The reason for the slower warm up on AUIII is to prevent cracking the radiator. There was a recall on previous series regarding this issue.

Fairlane · 24-08-2007, 09:41 PM

Mine used to take a while to warm up which wasnt a huge problem as i do long distance driving.

Changed the thermostat and problems was solved. Used a genuine Ford Thermostat here, i cant remember how much i paid but i think it was around $30.

falzoony · 24-08-2007, 10:36 PM

Same thing happened to my EL. It would never even get into 'normal' on the temperature gauge. Changed the thermostat and it ran fine. I went down to sprints and got an aftermarket one for about $15-20 if my memory is correct.

private9 · 24-08-2007, 10:50 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys, much appreciated! It does warm up properly once it's been running for a short while, it just seems to take a good few minutes longer than other cars I've had.