Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel advises that a minor leak will cause corrosion on your car’s thermostat and thermostat housing. Basically, what happens is that the valve the thermostat uses to release the coolant into the engine gets stuck in the closed position. When this happens, the coolant backs up and leaks out of the valve and pools around the thermostat and its housing. You will notice a gel-like substance around the thermostat as well as evidence of rust and corrosion. This is just one sign that your vehicle’s thermostat needs to be replaced. Here are three others.
Leaking Coolant
What started out as a small leak can become a large leak that leaves you with coolant on your garage floor. If you drive a car that is older than 10 years old, this is the time when the thermostat will go bad. In other words, its average lifespan is a decade. Once the thermostat goes bad, you may end up with leaking coolant that puddles underneath your car, truck, or utility vehicle. It’s important to have the leaking thermostat replaced as soon as possible to prevent further engine damage.
Erratic Temperatures
Erratic temperature changes in the engine are also an indication that the thermostat is going bad. This points to a problem with the thermostat detecting your engine’s temperature and releasing the coolant at the right time. It may release coolant when the engine doesn’t need it and thereby reduce the engine temperature significantly. It may also release coolant after the engine has already started overheating because it was unable to detect the significant rise in the engine’s temperature. Either way, it’s important to replace the thermostat to ensure that your engine always runs under 220 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the average maximum temperature for most engines.
Overheating Engine
Whether you are dealing with a leak or a malfunctioning thermostat, both problems will cause your engine to overheat every time you drive your automobile. The leak can reduce the level of coolant in the engine and leave it coolant-starved. Your engine will overheat if there isn’t enough coolant circulating through it. It will also overheat if the thermostat is not releasing the coolant into the engine. In this case, your engine will overheat very quickly after you start your automobile.
Tri Valley Auto Repair & Diesel in Limon, CO, is a full-service auto shop that can test your vehicle’s thermostat and replace it if necessary. Call us today so you can set up an appointment.
