Can I drive my car with a leaking thermostat?
A small leak can remain a small leak indefinitely but it can also turn into a major leak in a matter of moments with no warning. Because of that possibility, there is no real way to say “it’s ok to drive XXX miles with a coolant leak”. . Coolant loss will cause the engine to overheat and possibly lead to engine damage.
Will coolant leak if thermostat is bad?
Another indication may be leaking coolant, which can occur when the thermostat does not allow coolant to flow when stuck in the closed position. It can eventually cause other coolant hoses to leak as well, often resulting in coolant leaking on the ground under your vehicle.
How do you fix a leaking thermostat?
How do I fix my thermostat housing?
- Make sure the engine is cold and raise the vehicle on jackstands.
- Drain the coolant. Remove and examine the hose(s)
- Remove the thermostat housing.
- Remove the old gasket/seal and replace with new.
- Install the new thermostat and refill the system.
What happens if thermostat housing is leaking?
If the coolant thermostat housing is broken or leaking, it should be replaced as soon as possible. If the coolant level or size of the leak is sufficient to cause the engine to overheat, the vehicle should be pulled over immediately and should be towed to a trusted repair facility.
What to do when your engine thermostat is stuck?
When an engine is cold, the thermostat should be closed, thus bypassing the radiator. Warm (not hot!) engine test: Open hood and remove radiator cap. Start engine. Observe coolant action. It should be swirling vigorously. When an engine is warm, the thermostat is in the open position.
How can you tell if your car thermostat is bad?
Watch the thermometer. When the temperature rises to the number you recorded in step #6, the thermostat will start to open. If it does not, or if it doesn’t open until reaching a different temperature (hotter usually), then the thermostat is bad and should be replaced. If it opens at the designated temperature, then the thermostat is just fine.
What happens when the thermostat does not open?
When the temperature rises to the number you recorded in step #6, the thermostat will start to open. If it does not, or if it doesn’t open until reaching a different temperature (hotter usually), then the thermostat is bad and should be replaced. If it opens at the designated temperature, then the thermostat is just fine.
What happens to the thermostat when the engine is cold?
The flow of coolant does not cycle through the radiator unless it is hot and needs to be cooled. When an engine is cold, the radiator fluid is cold, so the thermostat is in the closed position. In this position, coolant will only flow in the engine.