Technical Engine running cooler

[mqsash]

Hi

Since the past few weeks, the engine is running cooler than usual.
The radiator fan kicks in at about the quarter mark (around 80 Deg C I think) and keeps the engine temperature at that mark instead of the usual half way mark (around 100 Deg C).

This started happening since I had the car serviced to fix a problem where the engine was running hotter than usual, so i went back to the garage and the guys says its ok that the enigine is running cooler! But I'm not convince.
I think he replaced a thermistor or some kind of switch which turns on the radiator fan.

Is there something i can check or set so that the radiator fan turns on only at the halfway mark.?

Is it ok that the engine runs a little cooler than usual?

Thanks
Mqs

 

[Ucof]

Hmm... possibly a ECU reset might help.

Possibly the temperature controlled water outlet (thermostat) in the engine block could be opening too early, thus not letting the engine get up to the correct temperature. Its more likely to be constantly open, or opening too late however. Too early is very rare.

Or.... the temperature sensor is faulty, and reporting the engine is running cooler than it actually is. Hence, the fan is kicking in exactly when it should be, but it looks to be too early, because the temp sensor reports the engine is cooler than it is - possible air lock?

 

[a73uk]

It sounds like he`s changed the fan switch or adapted the wiring to make it come on with a different resistance, an air lock would make it come on later, or not at all.

Running slightly cool is fine, but 1/4 is too cold for it to be running at its optimum, he may have enriched the fueling to make up for it too.

 

[alexGS]

The radiator fan switch must be rated lower than usual. It's surprising, however, that there is enough coolant flow to the radiator for the fan to come on when the thermostat should still be closed.

Perhaps the mechanic has drilled a hole in the thermostat or made some other small modification (i.e. perhaps the thermostat has been replaced with a cooler-rated type as well).

Either way, I wouldn't worry about it. This is the climate in India we're talking about here. 80 degrees is good (not too 'cold').

-Alex