Yes, your car can have a faulty thermostat, especially if it is 10 years old or older. MD Auto Repair would be happy to test the thermostat to see if it is still working if you are having any of the problems listed below. If you do drive an older automobile, the thermostat is going to go bad sooner rather than later. This being said, it’s also a quick fix to replace the thermostat. There’s no need to worry. Once the malfunctioning thermostat is replaced, your engine’s normal temperature will be restored.
CORROSION ON THE HOUSING
The engine’s temperature may only slightly increase if the thermostat has a slow leak. You will be unaware of the leak because the thermostat will not lose coolant onto the garage floor. Rather, the coolant will seep out of the coolant valve and puddle around the thermostat. The thermostat is protected by a metal housing, and, naturally, the coolant is going to corrode the housing because it is a liquid. Unfortunately, the corrosion will eat through the housing and you will end up with?
LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT
Now you will be able to see spots or a puddle of coolant on the garage floor. In this case, the leak will cause the engine’s temperature to rise even more. In fact, depending on how much coolant has been lost, your automobile might start to overheat when you drive it. This is why it’s important to replace the thermostat if it is corroded. This prevents the more serious leak caused by the corrosion eating through the thermostat’s metal housing. You always want to avoid serious coolant leaks.
STRANGE TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENTS
If you are driving along and you notice that the temperature gauge keeps moving up and down, this is a sign that the thermostat is malfunctioning. The thermostat’s job is to detect the engine temperature so it can release the coolant when the engine starts to get too hot. If it is malfunctioning, it may release the coolant at the wrong time because it doesn’t understand the engine’s temperature. This can cause strange temperature adjustments while you are driving.
OVERHEATING ENGINE
Finally, a faulty thermostat is going to make your engine overheat when it dies completely. This is because the thermostat can no longer open the valve that sends the coolant into the engine.
MD Auto Repair in Kansas City, MO, is here to help, so call us today if you suspect that your vehicle needs a new thermostat.
