Hi everyone,

Apologies if I'm being a bit stupid, but I thought I'd ask.
I've noticed that it takes an absolute age to get the car up to temperate (I.e needle in the centre). I know this might be because of it being a 1.9 diesel, and they take longer to warm up (Previously had a 1.4 petrol Rover). But I had a temperature gauge problem with my last car when I bought it as well.
When it gets up to temp, it can seem to fluctuate a bit. It will go down a little bit and if I turn the heaters on, it will go down perhaps a full quarter sometimes. I was always told that once up to temp, the needle should stay at halfway regardless.. Just wondering whether this is the norm for the JTD stilos or does anyone think that the thermostat may be stuck open?

TIA.

In cold weather like now the gauge will fluctuate a little as the heater kicks in and out but if its taking too long to warm up the thermostate is probabely not closing fully and allowing water to flow through the radiator before it should.

:yeahthat: although I'd only expect it to drop slightly if heat is on full and you stop in traffic, if moving then once upto temp the temp gauge should sit in the middle regardless.

Stuck thermostat. mines the same, runs cold all the time, fluctuates up to half sometimes. sounds like yours isn't closing fully. a new stat is about sixty quid online. I'm going to get mine swapped soon , but it's been like that over a year and besides not getting much cabin heat for about 15 mins on cold mornings I've not noticed anything else detrimental. performance and mpg are fine.

Thanks guys. As I say, it does seem to take a while for the needle to even move off the bottom.. If I dont have the heaters on, it will normally go up to half way and stay there. But if I put the heaters on it'l go down a bit. So yeah, probably stuck open thermostat.

Sorry to bring this up again.. but I managed to take some photos as this is still bugging me a little..

Right.. so this is pretty much what it is like when I get on the motorway, do a couple of miles. Probably have driven around 8/9 miles altogether by the time this is taken:


This is when going up a bit of a hill..


After this, probably will drop down to the first photo..

Simply, is this the same as everyone elses? I was always led to believe it should get to half way and stay there, no matter what..

Thanks guys

have a look , this guy had same recently his pics look similar position on gauge as yours 70-75c I think he read in that position, anyway new thermostat fitted and sits half way once there , no dropping back down
https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/334680-water-temparature-gauge-150hp-multijet.html
as thermostats are quite expensive (compared to old drop in elements)if similar to the jtd16v, otherwise change when you can afford, or leave as is.