Another thermostat question.
 

So I'm new to the site, but I have noticed this question come up before with no real answer. I have a 06 Mazda3s with the 2.3l. Anyway, does anyone know where I can find a 195 thermostat? The stock takes entirely too long to warm up, and it's already bugging me. Thanks in advance for the help.

How long are you normally waiting? Type of Climate/Weather? Check engine light on? Coolant at level? Normally the car will sense a bad thermostat and throw a check engine.

http://onlinemazdaparts.com/parts/20...icleid=1432714

~Mud

The coolant is a little low, but not anything really major. Just tonight at around 40'ish degrees it still took it about 10 minutes to heat up, and even then not that much until another five minutes are so. My girlfriends 03 Focus can be too hot to stand in around 10 minutes not just starting to heat up. I'm more thinking it's either a really low temp thermo or there isn't one installed at all. Just haven't really had the time to do a more in depth check.

Your t-stat is a a black plastic neck and is a one piece unit, so highly unlikely it's not present.
I suggest flushing your system and installing a new t-stat. It might be wide open all the time...? However I'd suspect an engine light would be illuminated though.

~Mud

Yeah if the thermostat was stuck open you'd be getting a CEL for coolant temp. low.

I wouldn't place a different temp t-stat in unless you have an option with your vehicle from the dealer. In my experiences, it's usually the T-stat that needs to be replaced. Or a flow issue, pump, clog, fluid etc.


(Generally Speaking here)
Not sure why people think its better to let the car sit until it heats up? Engine warm, Tranny cold. I know in my x5 and on the BMW forum there have been questions asked regarding how to properly warm up your vehicle. I looked into my oweners manual and it states to start the car and drive moderately. I however let it sit for 30sec. or about a minute, Thus allows the sensors and gauges to warm up and function properly, then go. The vehicle will warm up quicker under driving load conditions then sitting at a high rpm and parked.

Just My $0.02
This info should be in the car manual. I'd be happy to find it if interested.

Here is what I found from the "Owners manual", even though it's i different vehicle all together, I would suspect similar methods to any car.

"Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it running while the vehicle remains stationary. Instead, begin to drive immediately at a moderate engine speed".

Hope that helps to shed a light on that. I understand people warm up their cars in colder climates so they can get into a nice warm vehicle... Seat warmers! ;))

~Mud