Can You Drive with a Faulty Thermostat?
2 Answers
A faulty thermostat is not recommended for driving. The impacts of a faulty thermostat on the car are: 1. The engine cannot operate at the optimal temperature; 2. Increased engine wear, shortening the engine's lifespan; 3. Engine oil cannot reach the optimal viscosity, increasing engine operation resistance; 4. Prevents the engine from operating at normal temperatures. The reasons for a faulty thermostat include: 1. Prolonged warm-up time causes the car to operate at lower water temperatures, where combustion gases and condensed water on the cylinder walls form acidic substances that corrode the cylinders; 2. Liquid fuel and water wash away the lubricating oil film on the cylinder walls and flow down to the oil pan, diluting the lubricating system's oil, leading to wear on the cylinder liners and piston components; 3. If the cylinder block has defects repaired with adhesive, excessive temperature fluctuations cause frequent expansion and contraction of the cylinder block, leading to adhesive failure and diesel engine malfunctions.
As a veteran car enthusiast with over 20 years of driving experience, I've encountered several thermostat failures. When it fails, it causes major trouble—coolant circulation gets disrupted, and the engine temperature spikes rapidly. You might manage to drive for a short while, but it's high-risk: overheating can lead to engine seizure or deformation, and repairs can be exorbitantly expensive. I remember a friend who stubbornly drove home with a faulty thermostat and ended up spending tens of thousands to replace the entire engine. My advice: if you see the temperature gauge soaring, pull over immediately to cool it down—never keep driving. Head to a repair shop ASAP to replace the thermostat, which usually costs a few hundred bucks. Regular maintenance should include checking the cooling system, like flushing the radiator and inspecting the water pump—it’s both hassle-free and safer.
