Hey, i want to know if anyone has any ideas on what is going on with my car. So because my car chooses to burn oil, I am constantly keeping an eye on the gauges. Lately, his temp gauge has been dropping to lower and lower temperatures. Back in the day, when he was warmed up, he'd be about 185. Now he has dropped as low as the gauge can read as if he hasn't been running for an hour. So any thoughts? ??? Could something have happened to the thermometer/regulator, it probably is still from '78. :)
That is my best guess. If the motor had an air pocket or there was a break in the copper line that goes to the temp guage it could give a false reading.
The thermostat could be stuck open? I had a truck that did the same thing with the temperature gauge. The thermostat was stuck open and the gauge would hardly read. I replaced the thermostat and everything went back to normal. However, my truck did not burn oil as a result?
Another few possibilities:
The compression pressure or combustion efficiency has dropped considerably in the engine, due either to cylinder/piston ring wear or maybe only from needing a valve job. With a worn, or low compression engine MAKING less heat in the first place, there is less to warm up the coolant. Higher mileage, worn engines typically run cooler, but just how much cooler depends on a lot of factors...
Suggest doing a compression test, it's cheap and may pinpoint the source of the problem if compression is down.
Ignition timing has changed considerably.
For example, maybe you aren't getting any vacuum advance anymore, due to a vacuum leak. Simple to check with a timing light.
Thanks guys I'll check it out, though I am just hoping its a bad thermostat thats making the car run cooler. We'll have to see... :)