One of the problems car owners might face are thermostat problems. It’s always best to know the different thermostat problems so you’ll know how to recognize one when it happens. At the same time, it’s best to be prepared. Being aware will help you know what to do if and when thermostat problems occur. So, below you will know the different thermostat problems and some precautions to take if it happens to you and your car.
The very important reminder you should know if you think your car is having thermostat problems is to not open the radiator cap, engine coolant reservoir cap, or any of the parts connected to them until your engine has cooled down. Never attempt any of those because it is an extreme burn hazard. It can burn your face as the steam is extremely hot. It can result to a severe scalding. So if you overheat on the road, pull over on the side and let it cool down a bit until it’s cool enough to touch the radiator cap. Make sure to have a cloth
or towel handy so you can first touch the cap with the towel to see if it’s still hot. Having problems with your car thermostat may be rare, but it’s important to learn about it before it even happens to your car. When you experience a thermostat problem in your car, it is most likely just one of two problems which we will talk about below.
Your thermostat stick continuously opens and closes as it runs. Now if you experience a thermostat problem, it will either be shut, or open. When the stick is shut, you will notice that the “Engine Temp” is lighting in your gauge. It’s either that or a high temperature reading will show your temperature gauge. Not having a high temperature doesn’t necessarily mean your thermostat is stick. It can also mean your engine coolant is running low. So the best thing to do is to turn off your engine. Let it cool down and then see if it’s a shut thermostat or your engine coolant has leaked.
On the other hand, if your thermostat sticks open, this means that your engine isn’t reaching the optimal operating temperature. It’s usually not a problem in hot weather regions. So if you are living in the colder areas, then it might be a problem for you. If you have a “Low Engine Temp” light in your car, then you won’t have a hard time recognizing what the problem is. However, this warning light isn’t very common. A thermostat that is stuck open will cost you more gas each mile you drive. Because your car thinks the engine is still cold, then it will dump more gas to heat it up, just like when you just started your engine.