The thermostat in your car, truck, or utility vehicle should last 10 years. If you drive an older automobile and are having any of the problems listed below, Mechanic One Auto Repair advises that the thermostat is likely going bad. Do not worry. Our certified and experienced technicians can replace the thermostat if it needs it. We will conduct a thorough inspection of the thermostat and tested it to see if it is malfunctioning. If it is, we will install a new thermostat in your automobile.
Rust on the Thermostat
One of the first indications that it’s time to replace the thermostat is if it has rust on it. This is a sign that the valve that releases the coolant into the engine is stuck in the closed position. Unfortunately, coolant will seep out of the stuck valve and puddle around the thermostat. Eventually, the coolant will turn into a gel that starts to rust the thermostat housing and eat through it. It’s a good idea to replace the thermostat at this time to avoid a more serious leak.
Leaking Engine Coolant
If you did not realize that your thermostat was rusted and the coolant eats through the housing, your thermostat will start to leak engine coolant onto the garage floor. Your coolant may be green, yellow, red, orange, or blue. You can confirm the color of your engine coolant by looking at the radiator’s overflow reservoir. If you have spots or puddles of fluid that are the color of your coolant, it’s likely that the thermostat has sprung a large leak.
Strange Temperature Changes
Leaking isn’t the only problem an older thermostat will have. The thermostat may also start to malfunction and be unable to read the correct engine temperature. When this happens, the thermostat releases the coolant into the engine at odd times. Unfortunately, you will see that the temperature gauge needle is going up and down between cold and hot erratically. These strange temperature changes can be attributed to a faulty thermostat.
Overheating Engine
Finally, all of the above can cause your engine to overheat constantly. If the thermostat fails to release coolant into the engine at all, the engine will overheat quickly after you start it. Again, it’s important to have the thermostat replaced as soon as possible to avoid damaging your engine by overheating it.
Mechanic One Auto Repair in Canton, MI, is here to help, so call us today for an appointment.