The Arch Bishop
Active member
Hi all,
I've been thinking about changing the thermostat due to the temp' gauge sitting right at the bottom of the scale recently. When I first got the car, the gauge always sat at around the lower bit of the Normal section but recently, it's been sat on the black block before the Normal range.
The reason I'm questioning if the thermostat actually needs changing it is because the fuel economy has remained constant at around the 37+mpg mark. I'd expect a stuck open thermostat to drastically reduce the economy.
I noticed today that with the ignition off, the gauge sits well down below the range of the gauge which got me wondering if it's the gauge which is showing low due to the low starting point. If at rest, the gauge sat at the start of the range, then running, it'd show pretty much bang on the middle of the Normal...
Anyway, I'm starting to talk drivel now so could someone tell me if this is normal for a temp gauge at rest or whether it's sort of slipping down? It's an early analogue dash by the way.
I've been thinking about changing the thermostat due to the temp' gauge sitting right at the bottom of the scale recently. When I first got the car, the gauge always sat at around the lower bit of the Normal section but recently, it's been sat on the black block before the Normal range.
The reason I'm questioning if the thermostat actually needs changing it is because the fuel economy has remained constant at around the 37+mpg mark. I'd expect a stuck open thermostat to drastically reduce the economy.
I noticed today that with the ignition off, the gauge sits well down below the range of the gauge which got me wondering if it's the gauge which is showing low due to the low starting point. If at rest, the gauge sat at the start of the range, then running, it'd show pretty much bang on the middle of the Normal...
Anyway, I'm starting to talk drivel now so could someone tell me if this is normal for a temp gauge at rest or whether it's sort of slipping down? It's an early analogue dash by the way.