What is a stuck thermostat?
Having a car that continuously overheats is not only a nuisance; it also causes severe damage to your engine, radiator and the numerous other components surrounding them.
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While most drivers automatically conclude that it’s a radiator problem that is causing the overheating (and yes, the radiator is the usual culprit behind this auto problem), other vehicle problems like a stuck thermostat can also be responsible for your dangerously hot and smoking vehicle.
What is a thermostat and why it’s needed?
The thermostat installed in your car has a crucial task to fulfil—it is the part responsible for controlling the amount of water-coolant mixture that is released into your engine system, all depending on whether your engine is running warm, cold or extremely hot. When you start your car in the morning, the engine is still cold.
The thermostat signals to your engine cooling system that no coolant is needed. But as you drive, the thermostat gives the go signal for the increased coolant flow, reducing and increasing the amount of mixture used depending on the situation.
Why a stuck thermostat should be your headache
A stuck thermostat means that your engine will not receive the right amount of antifreeze and water each time it is needed. When this happens, the engine starts to heat up almost immediately, and overheating happens as a result of this.
Causes
There are reasons why your car’s thermostat could get stuck in a closed position. If you’re driving a car that is several years old, then expect your thermostat to fail eventually. If you don’t exercise regular maintenance under your vehicle’s hood, then an accumulation of debris and dirt could force your thermostat to remain closed even as you drive.
Should you replace your thermostat?
If your car is several years old and you think your thermostat is irreparably stuck closed, then by all means replace your vehicle’s thermostat immediately.
Is it time to replace thermostat?
The simplest way to find out if you have a thermostat that needs replacing is to have a constantly overheating ride where the radiator is still in mint condition. However, if you want to make sure you have a stuck thermostat, do this test.
Checking for a Stuck Thermostat:
Step #1: Start your engine and let it run until it’s warm. Don’t let it overheat, though.
Step #2: When you think your engine is warm enough, shut it off.
Step #3: Open the hood. You should be able to tell if the engine is too hot, since you’ll feel the heat emanating from your hood if it’s about to overheat. If this is the case, then let your engine cool and try again.
Step #4: Look for your radiator hoses. There should be two. Check for the top one first. It is usually made of rubber or a similar material, and is black in colour. The topmost hose is usually connected to the top of your radiator using metal clamps at both ends.
Step #5: Touch the topmost radiator hose to check for its temperature. Is it warm? Is it starting to get too hot?
Step #6: Now look for the lower radiator hose. This part is usually connected to the bottom part of your radiator.
Step #7: Feel the lower radiator hose. Is it warmer than the topmost hose? Is it still cold?
Step #8: Compare the temperatures between these two hoses. Keep in mind that when operating normally, your lower radiator hose should be warmer than the top hose. If one hose is a lot warmer than the other, then it is highly likely you have a stuck thermostat.