This thermostat is one of the most important parts in your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s cooling system. It not only keeps track of your engine’s temperature, but it also opens a valve to release the engine coolant when the engine needs it. Demore’s Automotive explains that the thermostat lasts on average about 10 years. After this time, the thermostat might malfunction and you will end up with the following problems. It’s important to replace the faulty thermostat as soon as possible to avoid damaging your engine.
Corroded Thermostat Housing
One thing that can happen that damages the thermostat is it can develop a slow week through a closed valve. If the valve refuses to open, the coolant will eventually seep out of the thermostat and pool around its housing. Unfortunately, because it is a liquid, it will corrode the thermostat housing. If you see a sticky gel around your thermostat housing, this is the engine coolant that has seeped out of the thermostat’s closed valve.
Coolant Spots on the Garage Floor
In some cases, the thermostat can also develop enough of a leak that you will end up with coolant spots on your garage floor. This is definitely an indication that the thermostat is too old and it needs to be replaced. It’s important to replace the thermostat quickly to avoid damaging your engine. We know this is the second time we’ve mentioned this, and we will explain more below.
Erratic Engine Temperature Changes
Your thermostat can also malfunction, and when it does, you might notice your engine temperature going up and down erratically. This is a sign that the thermostat is not opening and closing the valve at the right times. Rather, it might be opening it prematurely, which keeps your engine too cool, or it might be opening it too late, which allows your engine to get too hot. Either way, your temperature gauge should stay steady; the needle should not bounce up and down. If it does, you have a thermostat problem.
An Engine That Overheats Constantly
Naturally, the above issues will cause your engine to overheat, and this is where the engine damage comes in. If you drive your automobile when the engine is too hot, you run the risk of blowing the head gasket, the exhaust manifold, the radiator cap, or cracking the engine block.
Demore’s Automotive in Palmer, MA, can help, so call us today if you have noticed any of the indications of a faulty thermostat listed above.
