coolant temp guage not going over 1/4

[rs4pro3]

I just got my cr off the jackstands today after the new suspension. Well I drove around for a good bit and the coolant tempo guage never went above 1/4(sat at half way before). I had been noticing the guage suddenly dropping to 1/4 sometimes after driving hard but this time it stayed just a tad over 1/4. any ideas?

[Digitalwave]

Thermostat may be broken open. It happened to me.

[rs4pro3]

so it could be leaking then?

[brodee]

Not the thermostat housing but the actual thermostat. If it's stuck open or leaking then it doesn't restrict the water the way it should.

Check all the normal things like water level and leaks first, if you don't find anything there then check the thremostat. You can put it in a pan of boiling water and it should open and then close when put back in cold water. Really though once you have it out you might as well replace it ;)

The symptoms you described sound like an engine that's low on water. If the sensor sticks doesn't pick up any water passing it then the temp with drop drastically and then pick back up when water passes it.

[george graves]

on my car someone had cut out the theromstat, leaving it open....and it ran at 1/4

It's been replaced with a new one, and now it's allways at half(a tad too hot I assume - right?)

[rs4pro3]

coolant is a tad low, I'll probally just replace the thermostat for the heck of it.

[christophbmw]

....or you could get it stuck close and blow your head gasket (like me). id replace it before you mess something else up.

[rs4pro3]

I'm heading to the dealer this morning to get a new one. The hose past the thremostat was hot so It's open at least so my guese is it's sticking.

[Low Level E30]

Happened to me on my E36. Thermostat seized open --- so the car would always run slightly below the middle temp bar --- even on the highway.

Went right back to normal when I swapped a new thermostat in.

[rs4pro3]

Ya it must be stuck open as it took a good long bit this morning to warm up, I got the new thermostat sitting here and will probally install it tommorow or maybe this afternoon.

[boom-monkey]

I thought that was the problem on my M42, so i got a new thermostat. But it still runs at around 1/4. So I'm thinking this may just be normal for some of our cars.

[rs4pro3]

the car has always ran dead in the middle so I know something is up.

[Boots Walker]

i just replaced mine, turned out it was broken

all good now 8)

[e30evolution]

either the temp sensor is wrong or your car is running cold.... as long as it isnt winter it aint no thang.... mainly for personal comfort