Bring your car, truck, or utility vehicle to Anderson Automotive right away if it is having any of the problems listed below. These problems are signs that the factory thermostat is going bad. If you drive an automobile that has 10 years underneath its belt or 100,000 miles on the odometer, the thermostat is going to fail sooner rather than later. There’s no need to worry. We can test your old thermostat to see if it is malfunctioning and replace it if it is. Below is what happens when the thermostat goes bad.
The Thermostat Housing Will Rust
One of the first signs that your car’s thermostat needs to be replaced is rust all over the thermostat housing. This is an indication that the thermostat is leaking coolant out of the coolant valve. When this happens, the coolant surrounds the housing and starts to corrode it. Eventually, the corrosion will eat through the metal housing of the thermostat and?
The Thermostat Will Leak Coolant
You may be unaware of the slow leak just discussed, but you will be aware that the thermostat is leaking when you see coolant on the garage floor. Naturally, we do not recommend that you drive your automobile if it is leaking coolant. The leak reduces the level of coolant in the engine and you may overheat the engine if you operate it. It’s better to have your vehicle towed to our shop so we can determine from where the coolant is leaking and fix the problem. If it is leaking out of the thermostat, we will replace it with a new one and send you on your way.
The Thermostat Will Cause Temperature Problems
Whether leaking or not, the thermostat can also create temperature problems in the engine. As it gets old, it can malfunction and misunderstand the temperature at which the engine is operating. Consequently, the temperature will fluctuate between being too cold and being too hot. You may notice that the temperature is changing frequently on your temperature gauge. This is an indication that the thermostat does not know when to release the coolant.
The Engine Will Overheat Quickly
In some cases, the thermostat may not release the coolant at all and your engine will overheat very quickly. Anytime the engine overheats within 10 to 15 minutes after it is started, this is a sign that the thermostat is not working.
Anderson Automotive in Marion, IA, is here to help, so call us today to set up a service appointment for your automobile.