Erratic temp gauge when cold outside

[99SportX]

When it is cold outside(20F or less), my engine never quite gets up to temp.

I noticed that today, when the temp outside was -10F, that when idling or coasting, you could watch the temp go down. Also when the heater was on, it would stay down(about a quarter of the way up). This is not normal, because when it is warm out this does not happen.

Is this a thermostat problem, because it amazed me when I drove around for an hour and it never got warm?

Any help appreciated

 

[Bill Kemp]

Sure sounds like you need to replace the thermostat.
Its not a bad job if you can stay warm doing it.

 

[99SportX]

How much does the t-stat cost, and how easy is it to replace?

 

[aldive]

If you have an OBD II scanner, or access to one, you can set it to monitor actual coolant temp and see if its a gauge problem.

 

[99SportX]

I might have to do that before I buy a t-stat.

Now I just need to find someone with one.