The thermostat is an important part of your vehicle’s cooling system. Its role is to control the flow of coolant to your engine, keeping the vehicle at its optimum running temperature. The thermostat measures the temperature of your engine, opening, and closing to allow/restrict the flow of engine coolant. Over time, the thermostat can break and malfunction, directly affecting the flow of coolant to your engine.
Thermostat stuck closed
The thermostat may become stuck closed, restricting the flow of coolant to your engine. This can cause the engine to quickly overheat. If your temperature gauge is reaching a critical level, it is best to pull over and let your vehicle cool down. Overheating can seriously damage your engine and result in a huge repair bill.
In this case, it is far more cost-effective for you to call a breakdown service such as the AA, or a friend to help you, rather than risk multiple thousands of dollars worth of damage to your engine from overheating.
Thermostat stuck open
The thermostat can also become stuck open, providing your engine with an ongoing flow of coolant. This will cause your engine to never reach its optimum temperature, resulting in:
- decreased performance (power) from your vehicle
- increased exhaust emissions (greenhouse gasses)
- increased fuel consumption and fuel costs
- This will also cause the oil to never reach its optimum temperature, increasing wear on your engine over time.
Signs of a damaged thermostat
- Overheating: If the thermostat is stuck in the closed position, it will not allow coolant to flow through the engine, leading to overheating. This can cause the temperature gauge to rise and the warning light to turn on.
- Poor fuel economy: A damaged thermostat can cause the engine to work harder, leading to poor fuel economy.
- Engine running rough: A malfunctioning thermostat can cause the engine to run rough or stall.
- Bad engine performance and acceleration: If the thermostat is stuck open, the car may struggle to accelerate, especially when going up hills or when under pressure.
- Temperature gauge not reading correctly: If the thermostat is not working properly, the temperature gauge may not read correctly, indicating a higher or lower temperature than the actual temperature.
- Warning light on: A damaged thermostat can cause engine or temperature warning lights to turn on, indicating a problem with the cooling system.
Car Thermostat Replacement in Hamilton
Do you suspect your vehicle has a thermostat problem? If so, our team of skilled mechanics can diagnose, remove and replace the thermostat for you, saving you from serious and expensive engine damage and other ongoing costs.
We use the latest technology non-contact digital thermometers and scan tool data to measure and analyse your engine’s thermostat performance. For reliable thermostat diagnosis and replacement in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!