What are the causes of low engine temperature?
3 Answers
Engine temperature is low due to: 1. Engine fluid condensation; 2. Excessively low ambient temperature; 3. Thermostat and fan malfunctions causing excessive cooling; 4. Excessive engine lubricant; 5. Insufficient cooling leading to high temperatures; 6. Blocked circulating water pipes. Hazards of excessively low engine temperature: 1. Affects fuel-air mixture, causing poor atomization; 2. Reduced engine power and increased fuel consumption; 3. Increased oil viscosity leading to poor lubrication and accelerated component wear; 4. Unvaporized fuel washing cylinder surfaces, damaging lubricating oil film and accelerating wear; 5. Increased engine operating resistance, making starting difficult and fuel evaporation problematic.
Once, my car's engine temperature gauge didn't move even after driving several kilometers in winter, which really worried me. The mechanic said it might be the thermostat stuck in the open position. It's supposed to close to stop coolant circulation and raise the temperature. If the fan is always running causing excessive cooling, or during extremely cold weather with frequent short trips, the engine simply doesn't have time to warm up. I also researched that low temperatures can lead to incomplete fuel combustion, increased fuel consumption, excessive emissions, accelerated engine component wear over time, and even the heater not blowing warm air. So now I let the car warm up for a few minutes before driving, avoid short trips in cold weather, regularly check the cooling system, and replace the thermostat if any abnormalities are found. Addressing the issue early is crucial—don't wait until it becomes a bigger problem.
Last month, I happened to experience unusually slow engine warm-up, feeling the car chilly during my commute. The causes were likely common issues: either the thermostat was stuck and failed to open the circulation system, the radiator fan sensor was faulty causing it to blow cold air constantly, or simply the cold weather combined with short trips didn't give the engine enough time to heat up. Low temperatures can affect engine performance, making it run less smoothly and consume more fuel. I picked up some tips online, like idling for a while after starting to warm up the engine or extending the driving distance. If the temperature gauge consistently shows low readings, it's best to get a professional check-up rather than skimping and risking engine damage.
