Car engine thermostat

Thermostat is necessary in the car to regulate coolant circulation. In majority of cases it is attached to the engine block. When the engine works at temperature that reaches 75 °C, the thermostatic valve opens. Before that coolant passes only through the water pump, heating system radiator and the engine. Generally, in the liquid cooling radiator with coolant open valve is used. Thereby growth of cooling capacity can be observed. Modern cars often are equipped with several cooling liquid circulation systems.

If the indicator shows wrong figures, the cause is in the indicator or in the thermostat. Thermostat breakdown may be revealed by a big power consumption of the car for heating. In case of breakdown it is necessary to substitute the thermostat. For this purpose remove the old thermostat. Use a ring insertion to install a new one. While substitution it is necessary to pour out at least half of the coolant. After you install it fill in the coolant and make the pumping. The final stage of the testing while test drive will show how correct was the substitution.

When installing thermostat, pay attention to the filler ring, it should be new. It is present in any new set. Moreover, apply leak test to the thermostat after a test drive. An experienced car owner will be able to change the thermostat. Has the wiper broken down in your car? Or you need wiper pull rods and actuator arms? In our Internet shop you will find all spare parts for the car, for example, high-voltage cable, starter, cogged belt, transverse control arm, gearwheel, ignition module and many other original car parts.

Thermostat housing failures

• thermostat valves open and close irregularly;
• depressurization of the system;
• incomplete valves opening;
• thermostat valves open at the wrong time;
• thermosensitive element is worn-out or broken;
• component operates with faults;
• compressor is worn-out or broken.

Signs of thermostat failures

• engine warms-up poorly or is overheated;
• fuel consumption exceeds the norms;
• engine power output is lower than usual;
• “Check Engine” indicator is activated.

Causes of thermostat failures

• strong vibration loads;
• unstable work of engine;
• loose fastenings;
• level of cooling fluid is lower than it is required;
• presence of motor oil in the Thermostat housing;
• cooling fan breakages;
• high pressure level in the system;
• strong clogging of the system.

Diagnostics

To check the thermostat proper functioning, performing of few simple actions is required. At first it is necessary to warm up the engine, then  measure the  temperature of the hose connecting the radiator to the Thermostat housing. If the hose is cold, system works properly.

Thermostat housing opening temperature shouldn't exceed 84–90°C. As well as the working temperature of the thermostat lower connection pipe. But we don’t recommend you to perform this operation without assistance of service station specialists.

Usually thermostat service life is 100 000 operational kilometers. However one should check  the existence of possible failures at least once a year. The thermostat operation analysis must be done when scheduled inspection of a car is carried out.

Replacement of thermostat

The damaged Thermostat housing can't be repaired, it is to be replaced if faults were found. The operation is done by the standard tools. The installation of the part and measurement of opening temperature may only be difficult.  

Before replacement of the part it is necessary to drain a cooling fluid, to reduce a tension of clamps of heat exchanger inlet and outlet hoses. And only then the hose between the thermostat and outlet connection pipe can be disconnected. Thermostat housing replacement is not very expensive. Therefore, it is desirable to change this part at the initial signs of breakage.