AskAShittyMechanic

My engine isn’t heating up all the way.

My engine isn’t heating up all the way.

No matter how hard I drive it only gets to warm. How do I get it to warm up the rest of the way?

https://i.redd.it/5j0a9fg7mgbf1.jpeg
Reddit

Discussion

Longjumping_War_807

It’s because your tires aren’t filled up to 100.

2 days ago
ra6907 OP

Just checked and they’re only 35% full.

2 days ago
[deleted]

My tires seem to be empty, but only near the road.

2 days ago
dobermandude306

Well fill them up!!! Don't forget to use Summer air.

2 days ago
Particular_Toe_Gas

And don’t be fooled by those all season air scams you need full summer air

2 days ago
steved3604

You have to change to Summer air!

2 days ago
Intelligent-Door-484

Yes. And it has to be up to 100

2 days ago
me_atyourdoer

If you will put it up to 200, you will go twice as fast

2 days ago
Unlikely-Low-8132

You do if you are in California and we charge extra for it.

2 days ago
creepjax

Listen, don’t let big air fool you, you don’t need to fill your tires all the way up, it always weighs you down. Just fill it up to about 75% and refill at 25%, I’ve driven like this forever to stop big air from taking all my money.

2 days ago
Driftlessfshr

The fooled me once on that 80% nitrogen fill… I tell you what!

2 days ago
DutchBart82

This, and make sure to block off the radiator with a trash bag

2 days ago
steved3604

In a pinch you can use any cardboard.

2 days ago
jeminiscreativelab

Cardboard is better it helps hold the heat in better especially when the car is on fire.

2 days ago
pantiesNstockings

Pizza boxes work great.

2 days ago
jsooterdev

Spray foam works better

2 days ago
FOSSnaught

No one ever checks their tire fluid and it's infuriating.

2 days ago
Historical_Day_5304

😂😂😂😂😂

2 days ago
Particular_Toe_Gas

Mine actually does have that because I have to get my flat fixed but I used Fix a Flat. Now it’s got that white fluid crap in it

2 days ago
kidkumbi

That isn't just white fluid crap. The Hulk knows.

2 days ago
Apprehensive_Let_181

So does my girl.... not mine though

2 days ago
NekulturneHovado

100 bars right?

2 days ago
grumpyaltficker

Good God that's like 10MPa. That should seal the bead and then some...

2 days ago
bag_o_fetuses

you have too much coolant.

1) open the radiator cap.

2) with the engine running, drain the coolant until it reaches 100% temp.

3) high rev your engine it to make sure its all warmed up.

4) then close the radiator cap.

2 days ago
Vesperace78009

No! No! Stop giving bad advice and misleading people! If you want the car to warm up faster, stick a tennis ball in the exhaust pipe and turn your heater all the way up. This stops the heat from escaping and stores it in the cabin.

2 days ago
mindsunwound

I dunno why everyone always goes with the most complicated answer first, you're probably just using the wrong fuel, instead of that 97 octane, you should be running nitromethane, I know it is a little more expensive, but your mechanic will thank you.

2 days ago
TheRefurbisher_

I run napalm and it works great.

2 days ago
mindsunwound

Nah, too many impurities in napalm, and it takes an hour to fill the tank.

2 days ago
Melticus_Faceous

You're obviously not adding enough sugar to the tank. The mixture requires substantial sugar and styrofoam

1 day ago
Doomclaaw

I just run whatever Ricky Bobby is making out back in the woods. Makes the engine run like a whipped dog and gets you so drunk you just might screw your cousin.

2 days ago
TheRefurbisher_

my cars gonna screw my cousin?

2 days ago
Particular_Toe_Gas

If she wears that one nice crop top lol

2 days ago
Silverado94

That should only be used in diesels or you might mess up your engine

2 days ago
Venom1656

Go to your local airfield and ask for their 100 low lead. That's the stuff ya need.

2 days ago
NekulturneHovado

Tennis ball? Buddy, engine needs to breathe too!!! And exhaust gasses are hot so just put a hose from the exhaust to inside for maximum heating

2 days ago
jeminiscreativelab

No you just dry out your fuel system gaskets so you can get more air for a better burn. No need to get a blower for more hp and you won't need to take anything apart.

2 days ago
LeftToaster

No! No! Stop giving bad advice and misleading people. The problem is too much oil. Drain it all out.

2 days ago
Vesperace78009

That is accurate. Big Oil has been scamming us too long.

2 days ago
I_love_pearljam

Don’t forget draining the oil. You will get a much better temperature output if you drain the unnecessary oil. Big oil has us all convinced we need it but we don’t.

2 days ago
LilDusty420

Get engine warm, place face over radiator cap, remove radiator cap, learn

2 days ago
Driftedryan

Thank you, the idiots at auto zone kept saying that's a bad thing but how else do you get it to there

2 days ago
Koala-Motor

PPE make sure you wear ppe

2 days ago
bearshawksfan826

Dear lord... i didn't immediately look at what dub this is. 🤣

2 days ago
TheSilverspirit_

The only right answer here 🙏🏼

1 day ago
ArtichokeGlum3208

Check to see if there's coolant in the vehicle, if so you need to replace it with hotant.

2 days ago
KillerRaptor117

Replace the coolant with 97 gasoline.

2 days ago
Perfect_Can_2470

This

2 days ago
Fourth_place_again

Could a guy fill the radiator with fire ants 🔥🐜 or does it have to be hotant? Asking for a friend.

2 days ago
political-pundit

Unplug the fan relay

2 days ago
SerPoonsAlot939

Bold of you to assume we know what a fan is

2 days ago
TheRefurbisher_

my car is cooled with fans. nothing else, just fans. like only fans guys. only fans.

2 days ago
Brokenandburnt

That should make it hotter tho, right?🤔

2 days ago
jeminiscreativelab

Well gear heads already think our hotrod is sexyer that our wife.

2 days ago
DOHC46

Drain your coolant. That should help the engine warm up all the way. You only need to have coolant in the radiator if you drive through the desert.

2 days ago
kidkumbi

Then fill with Tabasco

2 days ago
ThatGuyFrom720

God damn I was about to be so mad until I noticed the sub

2 days ago
Brokenandburnt

Yeah that happens from time to time. Poor dudes coming here all hot 'n bothered.😁

2 days ago
ra6907 OP

Ok, drained the oil and removed the coolant. Now it thinks it’s a diesel. It’s making those weird diesel noises whenever I drive it and not nearly as fast.

2 days ago
Ioncewasafungi

But it's heating up all the way now right?

2 days ago
ra6907 OP

Yes it is.

2 days ago
Fricki97

Just put your engine on 6k rpm everytime you can

2 days ago
kidkumbi

That is far below average. I suggest at least 8k steady idle for an hour minimum each day until broken in.

2 days ago
Indifference_Endjinn

Put some garbage bags on the front grill and drive down the highway it will warm right up

2 days ago
Ioncewasafungi

Next time you fill up with gas just put the gas right under the hood on top of the engine instead of in the tank then when you fire it up it'll heat up all the way for you

2 days ago
MainMobile1413

That's cuz you got oil where the water goes and water where the oil goes. Drain all, mix well, pour back into the respective fill caps. Don't worry if you get dirt and leaves and small reptiles in there, it all works together with these new green energy motors.

2 days ago
WJSpade

The leaves and small reptiles eventually break down into oil anyway. Just consider it a long term solution.

2 days ago
Odii_SLN

Need gas in the radiator - how else is it gonna heat up? Duh

2 days ago
dazzadazzadazzadazza

Coal is just not used enough these days. If it can heat a train engine then crush it up and drop onto that water reservoir thingy.

2 days ago
Retoddd

Poop in it

2 days ago
kidkumbi

Have your friends poop in it.

2 days ago
SiriusGD

Drain the oil.

2 days ago
FOSSnaught

Yea, it's not meant to run with the packing fluid still present.

2 days ago
blueseadrive

Car needs a blanket remember if you’re cold they’re cold bring them in at night

2 days ago
kidkumbi

Always pack a pillow in the engine compartment. It really helps keep your engine in a calm working order. Better work/life balance.

2 days ago
Severe_Difficulty518

It’s right where it should be. In the middle of the gauge.

2 days ago
LogicalUpset

You forgot to check the sub

2 days ago
BLAlley63

Your glass cutter is not dipped deep enough into the pudding.

2 days ago
Specialist_Royal4686

Put jet fuel in the gas tank. You’ll go a lot faster too

2 days ago
Perfect_Can_2470

Don’t let the rpm drop below 7k whenever driving OTHERWISE IT WILL NOT GET HOT , and will damage your car

2 days ago
red18wrx

Unplug the cooling fan. It's just wasting electricity anyways. 

2 days ago
exploringmaverick

Have you tried a bag of rice...

...in the radiator?

1 day ago
Nuclear_elmo

Try to keep your RPM around the top end of the red part of your gauge. Should work!

1 day ago
CalligrapherLeft6038

Pour some boiling water into the fuel tank.

2 days ago
Nalabu1

Remove the radiator cap and drive for 30 mins to “burp” the system.

2 days ago
fuckfacekiller

Someone put ice cubes in your gas tank when you weren’t looking! Those sons of bitches!!

2 days ago
Dependent_Rough_3458

It’s super right on the button

2 days ago
Bass_Addict0

Good

2 days ago
Low-Ad4420

https://jmp.sh/s/hBwVC8fFQEDhnWLbdgAl

Fixed. No need to thank me by the way :).

2 days ago
sined_n

This is only theoretical as I’ve not tried it myself, but have you considered filling up with diesel instead of gasoline/petrol? I hope I’m not going to sound too pedantic with all the following science talk, but diesel has a higher caloro… calori… calorafi… kaboom-power per liter than gas (using metric because I’m talking science) so more kaboom, more heat, no?

2 days ago
Chaplain2507

Did you forget to put the cardboard in front of your radiator? It happens. Get on it before there’s a problem

2 days ago
No_Outside_8161

Rage post is pretty much the only thing online anymore and Reddit fell to it as well. Fuck

2 days ago
Tatercock

Thats 100% exactly where its supposed to be

2 days ago
heyisti22

Spray WD40 into your intake

2 days ago
Ray_Trix

Every time i see a post like this i say to myself „they can‘t be serious 🫣“ and then i see the name of the subreddit snd start laughing😅

2 days ago
abuckforacanuck06

I've never laughed so hard 🤣. You guys are fucked!!! I love that.

2 days ago
Assistance-Direct

Put it in park and slam the accelerator, keep going for results

2 days ago
OfficialTornadoAlley

Make sure to fill the coolant with gas so it heats up.

2 days ago
Elfbjorn

Can you get it into your microwave? Or a pizza oven?

2 days ago
BamTheBernedoodle

Open the gas tank and put in your favorite hot sauce

2 days ago
jeffster1970

Have you tried unplugging it and plugging it back in? Perhaps hand warmers might help.

2 days ago
SeymourHorrors

Good

2 days ago
Not-a-thott

Try taking out the anti freeze and using sprite.

2 days ago
ArticleOdd6667

Might want to remove the radiator cap, it could be faulty.

2 days ago
purplestiff

That’s where u need it half way

2 days ago
Ancient-Chinglish

put it in neutral and redline it until it warms up all the way

2 days ago
TwlightDesires

Drain the BS radiator fluid, it is a government ploy cause it makes you use more gas and limit your cars efficiency. Use good old fashioned water like the Amish do.

2 days ago
ProfessionalSir4802

Too much water has built up. Try draining the radiator

2 days ago
Longjumping-Log1591

Drain the oil

1 day ago
Lazerhawk_x

Too much coolant my man.

1 day ago
PreferredSex_Yes

Your RPM tach is missing. It should be around 8 or 9

1 day ago
Insanely_Mclean

See that gauge on the left? Gotta keep it in the red.

1 day ago
AdministrativeSea113

Try taking the coolant out

1 day ago
Beautiful_Extent3198

It’s because you have to push the gas to the floor until the needle on the big dial goes past 7. That’s why it is also red, the engine should start sounding like vroom-vroom-vroom-vroom and that’s when you know it’ll start to get warmed up.

1 day ago
ChopperTodd

You all are cracking me up with the comments. Keep it going.

1 day ago
spkoller2

It’s the gear selection. Drive only in first gear with the pedal pushed all the way.

1 day ago
AccomplishedAd1043

Dude, you NEED to top off your blinker fluid.

1 day ago
Tricky_Site7763

You should be driving around with the needle on 7. See the red area? If the needle goes in there the engine will start to warm up to operating temperature.

1 day ago
sherman40336

That is called leveling up

1 day ago
anon_lynx

Try starting with a nice dinner and music then see where it goes.

1 day ago
redditsuckshardnowtf

Drain the radiator

2 days ago
SignalLayer9158

Believe me you dont wanna go red side...

2 days ago
StatusOk3307

It's because you have way too much coolant, drain a few litres and temperature should start to climb

2 days ago
TLe504

The needle on the gauge next to it need to be around 9.

2 days ago
TheRydad

The gauge just to the left has the answer. It’s needs go to at least 6500 to go red.

2 days ago
Perfect_Can_2470

Cmon it’s basic knowledge atleast 7k

2 days ago
TheRydad

I was converting to metric.

2 days ago
Thirtiethone

Add blankets to the engine to help get it all the way warm.

2 days ago
GS56Nc

Too much water in the radiator can cause this. Drain the radiator completely and don't refill it until it heats up correctly. Then immediately open the radiator cap and add water.

2 days ago
olkangol

You're only getting ignition in the engine bay. You need fuel and ignition in the passenger compartment as well. Keep us posted

2 days ago
ra6907 OP

Should I use diesel fuel now?

2 days ago
ChemistBubbly8145

Average temp for engines 180/190 degrees, so your gauge should be at half or just below for whatever thermostat your engine is using, going to H will over heat your engine and cause severe damage if you keep driving it, if temp stays ac the C or cold side, you will have a thermostat stuck open and will not be very good at heating in the dead of winter.

2 days ago
Breaking_My_Shell

Did you charge it? You need a battery to 120v household connection

2 days ago
l0veit0ral

Drain the radiator and the oil then get out on the interstate running at least 75mph, that will get it heated all the way up.

2 days ago
Forsaken_Resolve8800

Put diesel in it

2 days ago
SplitEar

Plenty of commenters have pointed out the role excess coolant can play in preventing engine warm up but I want to highlight the importance of engine oil.

Excess engine oil keeps parts from warming by friction so you need to be sure the dipstick doesn’t show an overflow state. Drain the oil until it stops appearing on the dipstick and then you’re good to go.👍

2 days ago
b16b34r

Your car has a cold; heat up the fuel before load it, and cover it with a fleece

2 days ago
nuclearwinterxxx

Did you remove the factory Packing Fluid from the Airdiator and bleed the Warming System? You can't properly air-warm with all that pesky fluid in the system.

2 days ago
J-Rag-

At the end of each day drain your radiator. In the morning fill it with boiling water to get the heating process. Don't use distilled water though. It's always best to use mineral water or water alkaline water

2 days ago
mikeybagodonuts

Drain your coolant and about 2/3’s of your oil and you’ll be gold.

2 days ago
619xWelder

Too much oil. Remove about 4q

2 days ago
Warm_Ad_3067

U driving a car or preheating an oven to bake a cake?

2 days ago
LogicalUpset

You gotta find the hidden afterburner button.

2 days ago
RogueRaiju

I had to double check what sub this was😅

2 days ago
Brokenandburnt

Nearly another r/lostredditors.😄\ Welcome aboard. 👍

2 days ago
Disastrous_Play_8039

You’ve got two options. You could remove all the coolant from the radiator and or remove all the oil from the engine. Either way it’ll heat that engine up real quick.

2 days ago
Some_Direction_7971

You need to drain the coolant, you have too much in the system.

2 days ago
Entire-Register-8912

Open the hood and make many holes in the big hose connecting to the thing with fins on it. You have too much water in your system.

2 days ago
MGtech1954

ASE Master Tech since 1980

It is fine at the halfway mark. Yes the thermostat is opening more than it should. If you ever need a coolant pump that would be the ideal time to change the thermostat. If you really want it at 2/3 range, yes a sheet of cardboard in front of the radiator could help. But your a/c may not like it !!!

2 days ago
Delicious-Rabbit2797

Too much Antifreeze!! Use a Shop vac and drain your reservoir should get up to temp fairly quickly 👍🏾

2 days ago
ChiliSama

Looks like one of those Chinese made cold-fusion Fuzukis.

2 days ago
TheTense

Red for ready

2 days ago
Doomclaaw

You got too much coolant. It's keeping it too cool. Drain most of it out, and disconnect your fans. That should get you where you wanna be.

2 days ago
Yaseendanger

Remove the radiator cap and that shall fix it

2 days ago
NeighborhoodNo3161

Drain the coolant 😊

2 days ago
JustABugGuy96

Too much coolant, drain until it gets up to temp. You can even rev the engine to those red RPM marks, and disconnect the fan fuses, to get it up to temp faster.

2 days ago
LemonPepperWet120

The problem may be cold gas. You should try warming the gas before it goes in. Here, you can borrow my cig 🚬

2 days ago
screwedupinaz

You need to go to Home Depot and get a can of expanding foam, then spray that on each side of the radiator. You won't have a problem getting your car warm after doing that.
Of course it looks like it's a newer car, so the computer probably won't let it get that hot, so you'll need to find the sending unit, unplug it, and plug it in to a replacement one from NAPA, and just let the computer think that it's not hot enough.
Let us know how it works our for you.

2 days ago
epsteinsepipen

Try holding the gas down while in park for a few minutes

2 days ago
BarneyBungelupper

There’s a correlative heat relationship between the blinker fluid and how hot your engine gets. Check that first.

2 days ago
leppi2013

You probably have too much coolant…

2 days ago
marc4882

Change your tire air from winter to summer air. Thank me later!

2 days ago
redd-bluu

Probably need a new thermosrat. An engine thermostat gradually opens and closes depending on engine temperature to give the engine access to the radiator. If it's stuck open, your engine will never heat up. It's located inside the engine end if your top radiator hose,typically near the water pump.

2 days ago
crikker444

Flirt with it some more, talk dirty to it

2 days ago
Gallop67

Just hold down the pedal while going up a slippery driveway… that’s how I almost blew up my 2020 Corolla. Sat there sitting in a few inches of snow to cool down before backing up, turning off traction control and flooring it up. Almost swiped a tree (narrow, 1/4 mile, windy driveway up hill) I’m glad to have awd now

2 days ago
MathAndCodingGeek

You have too much coolant.

2 days ago
mikey_flipside

Drain all coolant fluid. Drain most of the oil and taking the car on a highway speed run the whole day. That should do the trick

2 days ago
Arcite9940

Wrap ir in a blanket, or better one of those space blankets for maximum heat

2 days ago
rpillbpills

Put it in park, press the gas pedal all the way to the floor for 1 full minute. After that, you're good to go.

2 days ago
Thevacation2k

Drain out half the oil, and empty 3/4 of the coolant should do the trick.

2 days ago
[deleted]

[removed]

2 days ago
GhostlyConnection

You overfilled your radiator pull the plug and drain it out. It’s a common problem from the factory too.

2 days ago
iscashstillking

Scotty here - increasing the operating temp is simple, several methods can be employed. Large piece of cardboard blocking off the radiator is a good place to start, another option is to delete the coolant from the engine and replace it with air. Yet another option that typically results in a "slow death" is to unplug any and all electric cooling fans under the hood. Or if you really wanna screw with someone just pull the fuses and/or relays for said fans instead.

Scotty aut.

2 days ago
macius_big_mf

Too much coolant...drain / dump gallon and half from ur engine...and update us with results 🖖

2 days ago
Itchy_Morning_3400

Don't forget to start a fire under the sump to get things nice and toasty before you start out for the day.

2 days ago
GlitteringLook3033

Ah, I see this all the time. Light a cigarette while you're filling up at the pump and be sure to keep the engine running. You should see your engine warm up.

2 days ago
dazzadazzadazzadazza

There’s a trick to get the needle up to the correct amount. On top of your engine Theres a bunch of bolts. These are known as head bolts and they need to be slackened off by around 180 degrees. Done it many times and the needle sits exactly in the red as it’s meant to.

2 days ago
Beneficial_Soup_8273

You need to drain the radiator, this is what is keeping the car from heating up properly. Open the valve at the bottom of the radiator and allow it to completely drain. Problem fixed

2 days ago
Cumin-tater

Just drill some air holes in the radiator. I know, it sounds like it would run cooler with more air but this will actually work. Dad always did this trick.

2 days ago
gr8dayne01

Too much oil in the engine. You’re gonna want to add some gasoline to the oil. That’ll fix er up.

2 days ago
7417413

Don't change the oil. Don't change the antifreeze. You'll get there.

2 days ago
Mike13101

Your engine is too cold. Need to wrap it with a blanket.

2 days ago
Gel_Latin-us

Well it’s not supposed to get hot, that’s bad for your engine and lets you know you have a problem. If it ever goes into that red zone your cars engine is too hot and your coolant is boiling or you boiled off all your coolant.

Maybe I’m in the wrong subreddit though cause all I see is a bunch of weird answers but then again idk if this is a troll thing or if your asking for real answers

2 days ago
musicalfarm

You don't want it to get to hot. That means your car is fully cooked and needs to be replaced.

2 days ago
bitronic1

Pour gasoline all over the engine bay, light it up, it will heat the engine all the way, fast.

2 days ago
StreetShamannn

Mine too, maybe we can connect them together with jumper cables?

2 days ago
MajorRelief98

Drain all the coolant, then it'll heat up for you in mere minutes.

2 days ago
mrdiverdude

Also don’t forget to remove the thermostat to get the rest of the coolant out

2 days ago
NyetRuskie

Probably too much condensation built up in the radiator. There should be a purge valve somewhere where you can let it all out. After that do 30-40 miles at highway speeds and you should be set!

2 days ago
Sirius_10

Always rev above 5000, that will do it.

2 days ago
ThinkingMonkey69

Common problem, but an easy fix. You have to put some hot sauce in the radiator. Sriracha will work.

2 days ago
GooshTech

Pull the radiator drain plug. If it’s green, brown, or orange it’s fouled. Replace it with gasoline. It WILL heat up all the way.

2 days ago
jeepsies

Add more fire

2 days ago
Vivid-Indication6265

Same with your rpm, bring your rpm up to 7k+ in the red then your temp will follow by example.

2 days ago
actual-trevor

Condensation in the cooling system. Try running with the radiator cap off to let it escape.

2 days ago
DontYard

Just light a bonfire under the engine

2 days ago
a_rogue_planet

You obviously overfilled the cooling system. This is a very common problem.

2 days ago
FS_Slacker

You’re not patriotic enough. You need to drape a flag over the front of your car and that will raise your level to the max.

2 days ago
Several_Computer1316

Too much water in the radiator. Drain it and retry.

2 days ago