5 Signs of a Thermostat in a Bad or Missing Car
The thermostat controls the coolant flow that gets out of the engine, and the coolant temperature sensor records the coolant temperature by displaying it on the dashboard.
If the thermostat is failing, the engine may not operate at optimal temperature and overheating, which can cause serious damage to the engine.
In this article, you will learn about the most common symptoms, location and replacement costs of thermostats. Let’s take a quick look at the signs you should look for.
Thermostat symptoms in bad car
The most common symptoms of a bad thermostat are overheating engines or engines that never reach operating temperatures. You can also notice the temperature fluctuations in the temperature display.
Symptoms give you a warning in advance to take necessary precautions. Here you will find a more detailed list of the most common signs of bad or missing thermostats that you need to search for.
1. Engine overheating
If the car thermostat is still closed, the hot coolant will not flow to the cooler. It keeps the engine temperature higher than normal because it cannot cool high temperature liquids. It must be cooled to cool the coolant. As soon as this occurs, it returns to the engine and dissolves more from the heat. However, with a stacked thermostat, the coolant remains stagnant and continues to warmer.
If the engine overheats, this can cause serious damage. For example, if you have bleeding head seals, look for a large repair calculation. However, overheating engines are not always caused by bad thermostats. I’d like to check the coolant level to make sure the system has enough liquid. It could also be caused by a bad water pump or a leak in the cooling system. Plus, it can clog the cooler. Nevertheless, the thermostat must be one of the parts you look up.
2. Problems when reaching operating temperature
If the opposite of the above complaints apply, the thermostat is open. In this case, the coolant can flow freely into the cooler. Without the coolant to sit on the engine for a long period of time, operating temperatures may not reach normal limits. The engine not only fights for temperature, but also has problems maintaining its area. If the engine is not warm enough, efficiency will be reduced. The engine uses more fuel than usual and additional money can cost you with the pump. This problem can also lead to premature wear of motor components.
3. Temperature fluctuations
If the thermostat fails, it can work irregularly. If it needs to be closed, or vice versa, it may remain open. This malfunction leads to unfair engine temperature fluctuations.
If the thermostat does not fail, you can create a mixed signal. You notice a strange temperature value and ask the problem what the cause. However, a brief review of the thermostat shows that this is the culprit.
4. Heating variation
Coolant heats your car’s heating. If the thermostat does not work properly to maintain an even temperature of the car’s engine, it can cause temperature fluctuations in the car through the ventilation slot. If the temperature knife and heat fluctuate inside the car, it is time to check the thermostat.
5. The possibility of leaks and steam from the engine
If the thermostat doesn’t work properly, the hot coolant finds a way to escape in the motor coolant chamber because the pressure is too high. We all know that hot air rises, water boils, and steam forms when steam is heated.
If the coolant is heated and the pressure is too high, it can attack weak points and cause leaks. The coolant is often pushed from the cooler tank. Rick is not complicated to be recognized as it appears visible and often appears in the smoke of white steam.
6. Sleep temperature and fully extended stunk
If the thermostatic flap remains closed, you will not be able to escape from the cooler. The coolant inside will warm up and begin to convert into steam, but the coolant will not change with the cooler.
So, if you know that the temperature knife is rising and the cooler tank is filled with water, you probably have a problem with the thermostat. An increase in coolant levels means that the car is running temporarily. 7. Bad performance
A thermostat is a key component to ensure that your engine operates at the optimum temperature at all times. Without him, the engine won’t function as needed.
If the engine doesn’t run properly, you will notice performance issues. In particular, fuel consumption occurs as the engine works vigorously to compensate for temperature inconsistencies. If the engine is overheated or unable to reach temperature, the emission of errors can also increase. A bad thermostat not only risks the engine due to a failure and contributes to a dirty environment.
How Does a Car Thermostat Work?
The car thermostat’s job is to keep the engine’s temperature within its working limits. This small part sits between the engine and radiator, regulating coolant flow between the two parts. When the thermostat closes, the coolant isn’t able to flow. When it’s open, coolant flows to dissipate heat.
Most car engines from the past few years operate at the same temperature range to ensure maximum performance. In general, the car engine should be around 195 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. When it doesn’t run within these temperature guidelines, it’s not operating efficiently.
When coolant is kept from flowing to the radiator, the engine temperature increases rapidly. On the other hand, as the coolant flows into the radiator, heat is quickly dissipated.
The car thermostat operates as a gatekeeper. It’s either allowing or blocking coolant from flowing from the motor into the vehicle’s radiator. It’s the job of the thermostat to read the temperature of the engine and determine if the coolant needs to flow or not. If the engine is hot, the thermostat opens up and allows the coolant to move. Otherwise, when the engine remains cold, the thermostat stays closed.
Thermostat Location
The thermostat is often located in a plastic or metal housing near the water pump, connecting to the radiator’s lower hose. It is most often located on the housing that connects the radiator’s lower hose, but it can be the upper hose in some cars.
Because it is often installed inside a housing, it is in most cases impossible to see with your own eyes without removing it, so using a repair manual is a good way to find the exact location of your car model.
How to Test a Bad Thermostat
It doesn’t take a lot of mechanical knowledge to test the car thermostat. In fact, a simple visual exam is all you need to perform.
Start by taking off the radiator cap. It’s under the hood, near the front of the vehicle, mounted to the radiator. Don’t ever open the radiator cap when the engine is hot. This test should only be done with a cold engine. Turn the car on and allow the motor to run.
As you look inside the neck, you should not see coolant flowing to the radiator. As the engine is cool, the fluid should not be moving inside. If you already see coolant running, the thermostat is open when it shouldn’t be.
If the coolant isn’t flowing while the engine is cold, everything is running as it should so far. Now, you want to allow the motor the chance to warm up. However, you need to be careful with the hot coolant, as it can cause injury.
As the temperature rises in the motor, coolant will start flowing into the radiator. If you don’t see any coolant moving but the temperature is rising on the dashboard, the thermostat might be stuck closed. In either situation, you must address the problem to prevent further damage to your engine.
Can you drive with a bad thermostat?
No. It’s not recommended to drive your car with a bad thermostat. If your thermostat is malfunctioning, it could cause your engine to overheat, which could lead to serious engine damage. It’s always best to get a faulty thermostat fixed as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’re risking some very costly repairs down the road.
Can you run a car without a thermostat?
Although you can drive a car without a thermostat, it is not recommended. If you remove the thermostat, your car will not reach operating temperature. This will cause higher fuel consumption and wear your engine down faster.
Is it hard to change a car thermostat?
Replacing a thermostat can be quite a tricky job for many people. Replacing the thermostat itself is often not that difficult, but properly bleeding the coolant system afterward can be tricky. In some car models, it can be very difficult to reach the thermostat as well.
Do I have to drain the coolant when replacing the thermostat?
Yes. In most car models, the thermostat is located at the bottom of the coolant system, so when you remove the thermostat, you have no choice – all the coolant in the engine drains by itself. Some car models have the thermostat placed quite high up, and in this case, it may be enough just to drain part of the coolant.
