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when it is cold outside the engine is slow to heat up one

Sent to Car Experts December 21 2005 at 4:55 AM
   

When it is cold outside the engine is slow to heat up. One up to temperature as I drive at highway speeds it cools down dramatically. Any ideas what is wrong.

Optional Information:
1996 BMW 318i 1.8L 4 cyl

Already Tried:
Made sure it looks like the overflow coolant tank is full and operating properly and looked and found no leaks

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $4
Answer
December 21 2005 at 1:08 PM (8 hours and 12 minutes and 54 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
It sounds like you're thermostat is stuck in the open position. While the car is cold, and warming up the thermostat is closed to allow heat to build up in the engine. Once the engine reaches a specific temperature it opens and allows radiator fluid to flow to the motor. Then if the engine cools sufficiently the thermostat closes again. If the thermostat is stuck in the open position then the car will take forever to warm up and once it finally does, driving and cool air hitting the motor will make it cold again. Change the thermostat. It is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at most autoparts stores.
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