First, having car thermostat issues, can cause your engine coolant temperature, to change erratically.
Not only that, but car thermostat issues, can prohibit your engine coolant from flowing properly.
So, the thermostat regulates the exact flow of engine coolant, that must pass through the rad. And, has to insure a constant and optimal, engine operating temperature.
If you are having any car thermostat issues that’s something that needs to be fixed, as soon as possible. So, it’s a relatively simple part, but it’s also a wear-and-tear item. And, needs to be replaced periodically. The thermostat is a crucial part, of your car’s cooling system. As, it plays a significant role in regulating, the engine’s temperature. It controls the flow of coolant, between the engine and the rad.
So, if the engine is cold, the thermostat stays closed, to let the engine heat up. However, as the engine heats up, the thermostat gradually opens, to allow coolant to reach the rad. A failing car thermostat, is usually one that is, not opening or closing properly. And, could be, stuck open or stuck closed. Causing, car thermostat issues.
So, What Can Cause Your Car Thermostat, To Stick Open Or Closed
A thermostat could stick open if, the return spring breaks or debris prevents the thermostat, from fully closing.
Consequently, this allows a steady flow of coolant to the rad, resulting in an over cooled engine. This results in poor warm up and heater performance, increased engine emissions and reduced fuel economy.
A thermostat could stick closed if, the wax element has been damaged by, overheating or corrosion.
Possible overheating from loss of coolant, a defective electric cooling fan or fan clutch. Furthermore, this failure prevents the flow of coolant to the rad, possibly overheating the engine and causing damage. That’s why, when an engine overheats, it’s a good idea to replace the thermostat, avoiding more thermostat issues.
NOTE: The consequences of an “open failure” may be less catastrophic, than those of a “closed failure”. Both, are still bad car thermostat issues.
So, How Do I Know If My Thermostat Is Stuck ? And, Is It Stuck Closed or Stuck Open ?
One Way Is By Checking The Coolant Flow:
- Start off with a cold engine.
- Remove the rad cap.
- Start up the engine, and let it idle.
- Verify that the coolant is not flowing.
- You can check this by looking through, the rad filler neck.
- The coolant should, not be flowing.
- Because, the coolant has not reached a high enough temperature, to open the thermostat.
NOTE: If you see the coolant flowing, you have a thermostat stuck in the opened position. Then, you have car thermostat issues. As a result, you need a new thermostat.
- But, if the coolant is not flowing, let it run for about 20 minutes, to reach operating temperature.
- About this time, you should see the coolant through the rad filler neck, beginning to flow.
- As a result, the coolant begins to flow, because it has reached a high enough temperature, to open the thermostat.
NOTE: If you don’t see the coolant flowing, you have a thermostat stuck in the closed position. Then, you have car thermostat issues. As a result, you need a new thermostat.
But, if the coolant begins to flow and the temperature stays normal, your good.
On the other hand, if the engine overheats, you have other problems affecting the cooling system.
Other Possible Causes Of Overheating Can Be:
- Clogged coolant passages
- Improper “air fuel” mixture or ignition timing
- Bad thermostat ( Thermostat Issues )
- Low coolant level
- Collapsed rad hose
- Bad rad fan
- Clogged rad
- Cooling system leaks
- Loose water pump belt
- Worn-out water pump belt
- Bad water pump
- Bad rad cap
Conclusion
So, overheating always seems to happen, at the worst time, in the worst possible place. And, if you keep a car long enough, at some point, you will have car thermostat issues. Finally, overlooked, ignored or unchecked, cooling problems, will end up leading to big expenses. Stay tuned for new technology, MAP controlled thermostats. Possibly leading to even more thermostat issues.
BY DANNY BENDER
