Engine does not cool down when parked overnight

[eggsalad]

2017 2.5 N/A, 47k miles

Bear with me, this is the strangest behavior I've encountered in many years of car ownership.

Get home at 6pm. At 7am get into the car, coolant gauge still indicates 170-180 degrees F. Engine gets up to operating temperature almost immediately. Okay, maybe it's the temperature sensor? Nope, checked it directly with a thermometer, indicates about the same temps, 170-180.

Checked again this morning, after 36 hours of not driving. Coolant temperature still well above ambient air temp, 130F

When driving, the coolant temperature never goes above normal.

I've never seen any car engine behave like this. Anyone got any ideas??

 

[N7turbo]

When driving, the coolant temperature never goes above normal.

This is the giveaway. Faulty thermostat. Search discussions here about it.

 

[eggsalad]

I don't understand. If it was a faulty thermostat, the operating temperature should be below normal. And how would a faulty thermostat prevent cooldown when the engine is off?

 

[N7turbo]

I don't understand. If it was a faulty thermostat, the operating temperature should be below normal. And how would a faulty thermostat prevent cooldown when the engine is off?

Are you sure that it's not cooling down? Maybe the reading is faulty.

And I thought you said the temperature never gets up to normal. That is a common symptom of the thermostat issue. Reading it again, that may not be your problem.

 

[eggsalad]

shh... don't tell "the boss" that I "borrowed" 2 different thermometers from the kitchen to triple check. Don't worry, I washed them off really well before I put them back

 

[stickerbush]

shh... don't tell "the boss" that I "borrowed" 2 different thermometers from the kitchen to triple check. Don't worry, I washed them off really well before I put them back

How exactly are you checking temperature with a thermometer? It is not possible that your engine remains warm overnight.

 

[Frankiestoy]

How exactly are you checking temperature with a thermometer? It is not possible that your engine remains warm overnight.

I agree, its not possible for a coolant system to maintain a temperature without a heating source such a running engine. While im not a mechanic this seems like common sense…

 

[Conrad 16.5]

Are we being trolled here or what?

No way that motor remains hot/warm overnight.

130 degrees after 36 hours with the motor off? Your thermometer ain't right. Can you hold your hand to the block at that temp?

I'm calling BS on this one.

 

[Conrad 16.5]

2017 2.5 N/A, 47k miles

Bear with me, this is the strangest behavior I've encountered in many years of car ownership.

Get home at 6pm. At 7am get into the car, coolant gauge still indicates 170-180 degrees F. Engine gets up to operating temperature almost immediately. Okay, maybe it's the temperature sensor? Nope, checked it directly with a thermometer, indicates about the same temps, 170-180.

Checked again this morning, after 36 hours of not driving. Coolant temperature still well above ambient air temp, 130F

When driving, the coolant temperature never goes above normal.

I've never seen any car engine behave like this. Anyone got any ideas??

You married? Who else has a set of your keys?

Perhaps someone is using your car while you sleep? Better check the mileage!!!

 

[RobertJT]

You need one of these.

 

[eggsalad]

Are we being trolled here or what?

I accept this. If I was reading this random thread on the Internet, I might think I'm being trolled as well.

 

[stickerbush]

I accept this. If I was reading this random thread on the Internet, I might think I'm being trolled as well.

Do let us know what you find out about this.

 

[racermp]

is it 100+ * outside? 80 at night and humid as h3ll in texas here so i can imagine it doesn't get low enough

 

[Conrad 16.5]

I accept this. If I was reading this random thread on the Internet, I might think I'm being trolled as well.

"130 degrees after 36 hours with the motor off? Your thermometer ain't right. Can you hold your hand to the block at that temp?"

So, can you hold your hand on the block or not?

 

[eggsalad]

I just went out to try. Fortunately I brought the non-contact thermometer with me. Pointed at various accessible parts of the engine, I get readings from 140-160. I like my skin too much to touch the engine.

 

[stickerbush]

I just went out to try. Fortunately I brought the non-contact thermometer with me. Pointed at various accessible parts of the engine, I get readings from 140-160. I like my skin too much to touch the engine.

How long since the engine was turned off?

 

[Fawiek]

Ummm .. what?!