Technical How long does your JTD take to warm up? Thermostat knackered?

[shedtastic]

OK - it's my first diesel - but two things struck me. It's not been that economical (41mpg, but I really have been driving it like a wuss and it's mostly motorway cruising at 65-70mph, so I was hoping for much better) and it takes forever to warm up.. (around 10 mins / 10 miles)

Is that normal, even given this cold weather? Or perhaps I have a stuck open thermostat and if I replaced it I might get warmth a bit sooner & improve my economy!

Any comments welcome.. Otherwise it's off with the EGR in the hope that I can get some improvement there!

Neil.

 

[Peat]

OK - it's my first diesel - but two things struck me. It's not been that economical (41mpg, but I really have been driving it like a wuss and it's mostly motorway cruising at 65-70mph, so I was hoping for much better) and it takes forever to warm up.. (around 10 mins / 10 miles)

Is that normal, even given this cold weather? Or perhaps I have a stuck open thermostat and if I replaced it I might get warmth a bit sooner & improve my economy!

Any comments welcome.. Otherwise it's off with the EGR in the hope that I can get some improvement there!

Neil.

Do as I do. Just blank off the radiator. The trouble & cost of replacing the thermostat is hardly worth it as it is likely to fail again within a short time!

While blanking the radiator, blank the EGR. Both will improve fuel consumption with the added bonus of not having problems with the EGR 'down the road'.

As the weather warms so the fuel consumption will improve.

Peat

 

[pig]

I was surprised too at how long my JTD took to warm up when I first got it- no extra blobs on the temperature gauge for ages, and the heater fan doesn't start to blow for about 1 to 2 miles.
By the way- you know that the mpg on the display is out by about 10% ? Your 41 mpg is nearer 46.

oops just seen your post to the sticky topic at the top about fuel consumption- you do know about it

 

[the frog]

Mine takes an age to warm up!

I'm getting about 38-41mpg (on the dash display) over the winter months and that improves to about 43-46mpg on average during the summer.

Check that your brakes aren't binding on - I have calipers on the back and they managed to seize slightly reducing the mpg by up to 2mpg without showing any other symptoms.

 

[davidthelodge]

My 1.9TJD takes about 6 miles to blow warm air, and 8 miles to blow hot air when it finally reaches normal temperaure, when its 3c outside. I was sure the thermostate was faulty and was going to get it replaced, but perhaps this is normal for this engine ? I also have a petrol car and its blowing hot within 1-2 miles, thats a V8 with loads of coolant in that block, and a big radiator.

 

[Moriarty the mundane]

Took my 08 JTD Eleganza for its 18k service on Monday. The dealer I use by choice is over 20 miles away. My car took 11.1 miles to reach 4 bars on the dash. I asked them to check it out. Tomorrow (Fri) I take it back for a new thermostat! Now, before you all get excited, I had a new stat fitted to my last 2001 jtd multi and it lasted barely 12 months before it failed. I would have gone for a replacement under warranty but I bought the Eleganza instead.
Sadly, this along with maffs, egr's and other assorted sensors ruin a truly excellent car!
Moriarty...

 

[Moriarty the mundane]

Update on the Thermostat...

The new thermostat was fitted friday and today it was minus 1 deg C when I went for a drive. A good test and comparison for last mondays 11.1mile test. Today I can happily say there was WARM air coming out of the heater within 1 mile and the car was on four bars and the heater at full capacity in about 5.5 - 6 miles! What a difference...not brilliant but definately better.
Noticeably, the heater was generally much hotter sooner. I for one am very pleased!

Now, If I put my radiator blanking back in will it over heat!?!

Moriarty the warm and contented...

 

[widemouthfrog]

Hi Moriarty

Any idea how much the thermostat is and is it an easy job to fit?

 

[Moriarty the mundane]

Hi Moriarty

Any idea how much the thermostat is and is it an easy job to fit?

Shop4parts.co.uk about 54quid for diesels less, from memory, for petrols.
Looks straight forward to do but make certain you get the same version as there are differences in model years.

BUT!! An update to my update....fitted last Friday, its now Tuesday and although the heater is still damn good compared to before, it is definately starting to take taking longer to get hot compared to saturday morning from cold! EG tonight, 2 deg c and a five and a half mile journey and it was still on 2 bars. I suspect it wont make the end of spring at this rate...something radically wrong somewhere with these thermostats!