Hey y'all,
I bought a 2011 Accord 4 cylinder with 60k miles in June. It is slow to warm up, probably 20 minutes of town driving to warmup in the cabin decently. This is with the heater on recirculate mode, when temps are below about 20° F outside. Coolant level is fine, but probably factory coolant yet.
I understand these cars are known for a weaker heating system, but I'm wondering if maybe the thermostat is bad?
I'm seriously considering putting cardboard over the radiator, like we did 30 years ago
What’s this card board over radiator craziness? Does it really work?
If you drive a big rig, maybe. A regular car, no ... there isn't significant air flow over the engine.
reducing amount of zero degree air passing thru the radiator
The radiator isn't doing anything if the engine isn't at operating temperature
I have seen this slow warm up situation where a previous owner had installed a fail safe thermostat that has failed in the open position like it is supposed to and then takes a long time for the engine to get up to temperature. You probably should just go ahead and get a new, correct thermostat for this 12 year old engine anyway, I would.
What’s this card board over radiator craziness? Does it really work?
Re: cardboard: it helped them to warm up quicker and heat better... reducing amount of zero degree air passing thru the radiator and engine compartment.
Re: thermostat: yeah I suppose that's best. I wish there were a way to increase the factory 172 degree to a 180 degree or 195 like my Chevy pickup... Would probably help it to heat better. (All I saw was 172 degree thermostats, wherever I looked).
Ok an update.... Yesterday was 20 degrees here. Drove half hour, temp gage close to middle of gage, heat output was "ok" but not where I turned the control off highest temp setting.
I got out and felt the radiator hoses... Upper was hot, lower was cold. Thermostat on the DS side of the lower hose.
I think this exonerates the thermostat, it's certainly not stuck open.
I think more likely the heater core partially plugged?