What does it mean when your car thermostat is not working?
This is often the first sign that the thermostat is not functioning properly. It means coolant isn’t entering the engine because the thermostat is stuck closed, and your car can suffer engine damage fast.
Can a bad thermostat cause coolant to leak?
This can be noticeable in a variety of locations, but most commonly around the thermostat housing. This can eventually cause other coolant hoses to leak as well resulting in coolant often times leaking on the ground under your vehicle.
Can a bad thermostat cause bad gas mileage?
Temperature Changing Erratically Erratic temperature fluctuations can also occur, causing dramatic spikes and drops in temperature that eventually lead to poor engine performance and reduced gas mileage. In this case, you may see the temperature abnormally low at one point and, shortly after, climb to an abnormally high level.
When does the thermostat say it was stuck or closed?
You may hear the phrase “the thermostat was stuck open or closed.” When the engine has been sitting for a while and is not warm, the thermostat will be closed.
What happens when the thermostat is stuck in the open position?
A thermostat stuck in the open position constantly pushes coolant into the engine and causes a lower operating temperature. Your temperature gauge will show a needle that barely increases or remains at the lowest setting. This will reduce engine efficiency and increase emisssions over time, as well as accelerate the deterioration of parts.
Is it time to replace the thermostat in your car?
Thermostat replacement is a fairly inexpensive repair to make to your vehicle, preventing potentially thousands of dollars in engine damage due to excessive heat. If any of the above symptoms sound familiar to you, it may be time to have an expert mechanic diagnose your vehicle.
What happens when your thermostat is at the lowest setting?
Your temperature gauge will show a needle that barely increases or remains at the lowest setting. This will reduce engine efficiency and increase emisssions over time, as well as accelerate the deterioration of parts. 3. Temperature Changing Erratically