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Most cars have a top-mounted thermostat located close to the water pump on the cylinder head. The top radiator hose feeds coolant through the thermostat into the engine. If you can’t locate the thermostat, simply follow the hose until you see the housing containing the thermostat where the hose joins the engine.
Where is my thermostat in my car?
In most cars the thermostat is placed under a housing near the water pump on the cylinder head ; the housing is connected directly to the top radiator hose . In a few cars the thermostat is housed near the bottom hose.
Is it hard to replace a thermostat in a car?
Replacing a car’s thermostat (or T-stat) is an easy and inexpensive repair. In most cases it will cure an overheating or no-heat problem, sparing the time and expense needed for expert diagnostics.
How do you know if your thermostat is bad in your car?
One of the first things you will notice is the temperature gauge is higher than normal. It may even start to fluctuate frequently. If you notice the gauge is hovering ¾ of the way from the top, then your thermostat is experiencing damage in the form of overheating. This can soon lead to your engine and car overheating.
Where is thermostat located?
The best place for your thermostat is on an interior wall, away from all the areas we previously discussed (direct sunlight, air vents, your kitchen, hallways, windows and doors). Ideally, it should be placed toward the center of your home.
What causes a thermostat to fail?
Thermostats fail because they become weak, stuck open or stuck closed. When a thermostat is stuck open, coolant constantly circulates and the engine takes longer to reach operating temperature.
How do I get my thermostat unstuck?
How to Fix a Sticking Thermostat Park your car on a flat surface and have the emergency brake on. Wait until the morning or a few hours after driving. Open your car hood after your car has had some time to cool off. Find the thermostat. Remove the radiator cap. Have someone else start the car for you.
Do you need to drain coolant to replace thermostat?
You don’t need to drain the entire cooling system with a normal top-mounted thermostat. If the engine is hot, don’t drain it. The thermostat housing should be below the level of the radiator tap or bottom hose.
How much does it cost to replace car thermostat?
But for the average car owner, you can expect to pay between $140 and $300 for a professional mechanic to replace the thermostat in your vehicle for you. The cost of the actual thermostat unit itself is usually between $20 and $80 but can be more for luxury or sports cars.
What to do after replacing a thermostat?
After replacing the thermostat, refill antifreeze. Leave the radiator cap off, and start the vehicle. Wait five minutes to allow all of the antifreeze to circulate throughout the engine. Turn off the engine, and allow the engine to cool.
How do you know if your car needs a new thermostat?
Symptoms of a Failing Car Thermostat The temperature gauge reads high and the engine overheats. The temperature changes erratically. The vehicle’s coolant leaks around the thermostat or under the vehicle.
How do I know if my thermostat or water pump is bad?
Five Signs Your Water Pump Is Failing Overheating. A dead or dying water pump cannot circulate coolant through your vehicle’s engine and, as such, the engine will overheat. Coolant Leaks. Coolant leaks from the water pump are common and a clear sign that it’s time to replace the pump. Corroded Water Pump. Whining Noises.
How do you know if your car thermostat is working?
Start your car’s engine and allow it to idle. Look through the radiator filler neck to see if the coolant flows. At this time, it should not be flowing as your car has not reached the operating temperature to cause the thermostat to open. If you find the coolant is flowing, it means the thermostat valve is open.
Can you remove thermostat from car?
TOM: But taking out the thermostat can actually do quite a bit of damage on a modern car. Most cars now have computers, which constantly monitor the engine temperature and adjust things accordingly. If the computer thinks the engine is cold–and it WILL be cold without a thermostat–it’ll richen the fuel mixture.
What happens when car thermostat fails?
By keeping coolant from entering the engine, the engine will overheat. If a thermostat fails as it is stuck partially or completely open, the vehicle may be unable to reach its full operating temperature, which uses more fuel and can prevent the cabin heater from reaching full heat.
Can a stuck thermostat cause coolant loss?
It’s possible that the thermostat isn’t allowing the coolant to flow when it’s stuck in the closed position. This can cause other hoses to leak as well as cause your vehicle’s coolant to leak on the ground.
How long do car thermostats last?
However, most car experts recommend car thermostat replacement after 10 years. However, this is an optimistic number. Thermostats are more likely to stop working much earlier than a decade. Some factors that induce an early thermostat failure include harsh weather, rough driving, bad engine or thermostat parts.
Is it OK to drive with a thermostat stuck open?
Yes, a car can be driven with a thermostat stuck open. Its when the thermostat is stuck closed, that causes the car to over heat.
What happens if your car thermostat is stuck open?
Thermostat stuck open: When the thermostat is stuck open, the engine temperature drops below normal when driving, especially on the highway in cold weather. A stuck-open thermostat can also cause lack of heat from the heating system. The Check Engine light may come on too.
Does a faulty thermostat affect performance?
A failed thermostat will prevent the engine from operating within its ideal temperature range and affect its performance. A thermostat stuck opened will cause a continuous flow of coolant, resulting in a lower operating temperature.
