I was driving home the other night and the check engine light came on. When i got home i checked the code and it was a "engine temp low" code. When i think back the temp gauge was at about 8 o'clock the entire trip. What causes a temp too low code? I know that air in the system can cause it to overheat. After clearing the code it hasnt come back.
Coolant temp low ??
- Thread starter Fla02LS
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Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
yep - thermostat not closing - which is the way they are suppose to fail...
I get that too - since I do not use a thermostat - I get 'too long to warm up'. One thing to be aware of, is that your emission cycle will not complete if the car does no get to temp.
I get that too - since I do not use a thermostat - I get 'too long to warm up'. One thing to be aware of, is that your emission cycle will not complete if the car does no get to temp.
That's what was wrong with mine last week. It wouldn't warm up. The thermostats are designed to fail in the open position.
I have no idea if running for extended periods of time with an open thermostat would damage the engine, but I would assume it's not good if it never gets to normal operating temp.
I just changed mine on Thursday. Temp is perfect now. Now I just need to change some damn coils.
I have no idea if running for extended periods of time with an open thermostat would damage the engine, but I would assume it's not good if it never gets to normal operating temp.
I just changed mine on Thursday. Temp is perfect now. Now I just need to change some damn coils.
Mechanicboy
Dedicated LVC Member
It really depends upon conditions. The oil in your engine needs to get to a certain temp to evaporate the moisture and fuel that gets in there. This temperature is fairly low, something like 150-160 degrees F. Of course hotter will work better. This is one reason why you change your oil more often in extreme conditions such as short trips and extreme cold. If your engine oil isn't getting to this temp then over time it could be of concern. Your spark plugs need to get to their cleaning temperature so they don't foul. I'd say as long as your getting to 160 degrees you should be fine, but if your only at 140 or less then your should take care of it soon.
What else. Your fuel economy will degrade. Your heater will take longer to get hot and won't be as hot. You won't pass an emission test with that problem.
The good news is that your transmission will be happy with the cooler temps!
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
Actually, it won't know or care. The transmission cooler is an oil-to-air cooler that sits in front of the radiator. it does not go through the radiator at all. Ford got smart in the late 90's and went to oil-to-air coolers on most (if not all) of their cars. That figured out that heat (particularly when the engine overheated) was killing their transmissions.
http://deneau.info/ls/s6x~us~en~file=s6x72002.htm~gen~ref.htm
[Disclaimer: I know this to be true for gen II, I only assume that it is true for gen I.]
Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
I believe that only Gen1 with 'sport' option had a trans cooler - and like you stated - it is a seperate oil-to-air cooler.