If the temperature gauge is moving up and down on your dashboard, this is a sign that you have a faulty thermostat. The thermostat has a lifespan of about 10 years, so if your vehicle is older than that, it’s no surprise that this cooling system part is malfunctioning. Mike’s Automotive can replace your thermostat if it needs it. Here are signs that it is not operating as it should be and the consequences associated with this.
Sporadic Engine Temperature Changes
As we just mentioned, a faulty thermostat can change your vehicle’s engine temperature sporadically. This is because it is the cooling system part that releases the coolant into the engine. If it is not opening its valve to release the coolant when the engine needs it, the engine will overheat. It may then open the valve and inundate the engine with coolant, causing it to cool down too much. This back and forth will continue until you replace the malfunctioning thermostat.
Leaking Coolant
The thermostat can also develop a leak as it ages. The most common cause of a leak is a valve that is stuck in a closed position. When this happens, the coolant leaks out of the valve and pools around the thermostat housing. This creates a gel that corrodes the thermostat. You can visually inspect your thermostat, and if you see corrosion around it, you have a slow coolant leak the is seeping out of the closed valve. This isn’t the only way the thermostat can leak, however.
It can also end up with a large enough leak that you see coolant spots on your garage floor. One way to tell whether the spots are coolant or another automotive fluid is to check the color of the spots and compare that color to your engine coolant. If the color matches and the leaking fluid has a sweet and musty odor to it, it is most likely engine coolant. It’s unsafe to drive your automobile when it is leaking coolant, as this opens up the engine to overheating more easily.
An Engine That Overheats Quickly
The dying thermostat itself can also make your engine overheat quickly. Not only in the manner that we discussed above in terms of the sporadic temperature changes but also if the thermostat does not release coolant into the hot engine. In this case, your engine will overheat quickly, usually within 15 minutes of turning it on. If you are experiencing this problem, you likely have a dead thermostat that is not functioning at all. It will need to replace as soon as possible.
We can do that here at Mike’s Automotive in Del City, OK. Call us today.
