If you take excellent care of your automobile, you should get 10 years out of the thermostat. This is how long this cooling system part lasts on average. New Castle Auto Repair is going to list below the signs that you need to replace your car’s thermostat. It’s important to replace the thermostat when it needs it to avoid unnecessarily damaging the engine.
1. Corroded Thermostat Housing
The thermostat is the part that is in charge of releasing engine coolant. It uses a valve that opens when the engine reaches a certain temperature. If the valve fails to open, coolant will back out of the thermostat and collect around the thermostat housing. The coolant corrodes the housing as it turns into a gel-like substance. This slow coolant leak can damage the thermostat and its housing. If you inspect the thermostat visually, you may be able to see that it is corroded.
2. Coolant Leaks on the Garage Floor
Sometimes, the thermostat will spring a leak that leaves spots on your garage floor. These spots are coolant spots. Engine coolant comes in many different colors, including red, orange, green, and yellow. You can dab the spots on your garage floor with a white paper towel to determine the color of the fluid. This helps you determine whether coolant is leaking out of the thermostat. If it is, it’s crucial to have the thermostat replaced as soon as possible.
3. Erratic Engine Temperature Changes
Because the thermostat is responsible for releasing the coolant into the engine, it directly affects your engine’s temperature. Once the engine starts to get too hot, the thermostat opens its valve to allow coolant to flow through the engine to reduce the temperature. If your thermostat is malfunctioning, it may not release the coolant when the engine needs it, or it may release too much coolant. This will cause erratic temperature changes in the engine that will be reflected on your temperature gauge.
4. An Engine That Overheats Constantly
Finally, a malfunctioning thermostat overheats the engine every time you drive your automobile. The overheating can be caused by the coolant leaks discussed above or by a closed valve that refuses to open. If the thermostat’s valve does not open, your engine will not get any coolant. This will cause the engine to overheat very quickly after you start your automobile.
Call New Castle Auto Repair in New Castle, PA, today if you believe your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s thermostat needs to be replaced.