Every vehicle owner encounters car trouble from time to time. Whether a simple tire change or faulty spark plugs, correctly maintaining your vehicle and ensuring safety are of the utmost importance.
While some turn to qualified mechanics for help, it is usually cost-effective to do repairs yourself. After all, any complicated issue can be simplified, and the solution broken down into easy-to-do steps.
Today, we will look at how you can diagnose a bad thermostat. We will discuss its primary function, describe the symptoms of a failing thermostat, and explain how you can test or change it.
The thermostat is responsible for regulating coolant flow through the engine. If the engine is cold, it stays closed to let it warm up. As the engine heats up, the thermostat gradually opens, allowing coolant to reach the radiator. Whenever it begins to fail, the engine overheats and, if the problem is left unchecked, leads to your engine boiling over. This can lead to costly repairs.
While relatively cheap, a thermostat is one of the most crucial car parts. If you don’t want to change your engine entirely, you must address the root issue with your failing thermostat. You’ll need to look out for the following signs:
Overheating is the most common symptom of a failing thermostat. Due to corrosion or aging, your car’s thermostat can get stuck in a closed position. If this happens, the thermostat will not let the coolant reach the radiator, and, as mentioned above, the engine will overheat, causing severe damage.
One of the lesser-known issues is the polar opposite of overheating. Overcooling happens when the engine does not reach the right temperature for its normal function. In this scenario, the thermostat is stuck open and overflows the radiator with coolant, drastically reducing the engine life cycle.
To prevent this, you should always watch your dashboard temperature gauge. If you don’t have one, monitor various warning lights in the instrument cluster. If you find yourself in a sticky road situation, try turning the heater on full blast to dissipate excess heat.
If you have experienced problems with overheating or notice liquid dripping under your car, it is a sure sign of a coolant leak. However, it is not the thermostat that’s leaking, as it contains no coolant. Instead, a gasket may be the source, preventing coolant from seeping out of the thermostat housing. Check the housing for any signs of leaks: drops, drip marks, and deposits. If you notice nothing unusual, inspect other components, as they may be the root of the issue.
Another symptom of a faulty thermostat is bizarre sounds. You may hear rumbling, boiling, or knocking coming from the radiator. All these signs point to an issue with your car’s cooling system.
The thermostat also affects the temperature of air that flows in your vehicle through the vents. If it suddenly changes from hot to cold or cold to hot, this is a clear sign of faultiness, especially if it happens erratically.
A very difficult-to-spot issue can be explicitly discovered during the winter season. If the thermostat is stuck in an open position, no matter how high you turn up the heater, you won’t get hot air flowing through the vents. This indicates a poorly functioning thermostat and should prompt you to change it as soon as possible.
So how do you replace a thermostat?
Changing the thermostat isn’t complicated if you know where it’s located in your engine bay. In most cases, it is near the top of the engine where the top radiator hose joins the engine block. Once you have successfully located the thermostat, all that remains is to follow a few simple but essential steps:
A car’s thermostat is a crucial component that regulates coolant flow, ensuring optimal engine temperatures. If you experience symptoms like coolant leaking or overheating, make sure to get your thermostat replaced!
Real insights from real owners
© 2022 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.
© 2019 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.