I have a 1988 bonneville sse.. i've owned it since 1980.. it'* in great shape as it has been stored during the winter pretty much since new.. this past winter.. i had to drive it..and i have a problem i can't sort out.. the engine temp never seems to warm up..therefore.. i get very minimal heat.. of course. that affects other things..the trans wont go into overdrive and the converter won't lock up thinking the engine is still cold. and of course. it also make the fuel system run rich thinking the engine is cold.. which just kills the gas mileage!!! and i mean.. really kills it!!! i've put in a new thermostat.. no change.. a friend ordered some small rubber ring that sits on the thermostat.. said i was missing that.. that made no change either.. it'* running much better now that it'* getting warmer out and the engine temp is coming up a bit.. but.. i'm not gonna wanna drive that car again next winter like this.. has anybody got idea what i'm missing here or how to repair this problem???

Interesting, How did you pull that off?

What about the water pump and all that stuff. Maybe a fresh cooling system flush also if you haven't changed the antifreeze in awhile

just had top laugh at you burg boat.
that was pretty funny

thanks

judy

ok.. i goofed. i meant i owned it since 1990

i was told that putting a 180 in would affect the amount of heat in the winter. i dont know about you but i like my heat. i already think it takes too long for that thing to warm up on the inside.

i was told by two diff auto parts guys not to put in the 180.....
any oppinions/comments on this?

j

thanks for your replies everybody.. and as it sounds. yes. it would seem the stat is stuck open and lettting coolant get by before it'* up to temperature.. so i did replace the stat with a brand new gm 195 stat and the problem still exists.. i'm not sure where to go from here

there'* no way it'* getting up to temp.... barely any heat coming out .. and the temp gauge hardly moves at all up the scale.. when it'* warm out.. temp gauge climbs to where it should.. good heat.. and torque converter locks up..
i know it'* tough to diagnose just by descript.. but you can see.. i'm at a dead end with this