J&S Auto Repair is the best auto shop in Warwick, and we can replace your car, truck, or SUV’s thermostat when it needs it. This thermostat is part of the cooling system, and it is responsible for releasing the coolant into the engine once the engine starts to get too hot. The thermostat keeps track of the engine’s temperature so it knows when to release the coolant. Below, we are going to list the signs that it’s time to replace your car’s thermostat. Don’t worry. This is not an extensive repair.
A Rusted Thermostat Housing
You can inspect the thermostat if you think it is too old. One sign of an aging thermostat is corrosion. As the thermostat ages, the thermostat valve can get stuck in the closed position. When this happens, the coolant leaks out of the valve and pools around the thermostat housing. This causes the housing to corrode and rust. In addition, the rust will eat through the metal housing and create a larger coolant leak. It’s best to replace the thermostat before the rust has had a chance to eat through the housing.
Leaking Engine Coolant
If you don’t replace the thermostat at that time, you will end up with leaking engine coolant on the garage floor. Unfortunately, this leak is more severe and reduces the amount of coolant that circulates through the engine. Consequently, the engine will get too hot while you are driving your automobile. The thermostat releases the coolant to ensure the engine never exceeds 220 degrees Fahrenheit. You need the thermostat replaced to make certain there is plenty of coolant circulating through the engine.
Erratic Temperature Changes
Leaking is not the only sign of an aging thermostat. Your thermostat may also start to malfunction if it is getting too old. There may come a point when the thermostat can no longer detect the engine’s temperature. As such, it may never release the coolant. There may also come a point when the thermostat reads the temperature incorrectly and releases the coolant at the wrong times. When this happens, you generally see the needle on the temperature gauge moving up and down.
An Overheating Engine
Finally, the thermostat is definitely malfunctioning if your engine overheats quickly after you start your automobile. This is a sign that the engine does not have coolant circulating through it.
Call J&S Auto Repair in Warwick, RI, today to set up a service visit for your automobile. We will check the thermostat to see if it needs to be replaced.
