How to Determine if the Cruze Thermostat is Good or Bad?
4 Answers
The methods to determine if the Cruze thermostat is functioning properly are as follows: 1. Coolant temperature exceeds 110 degrees: Park the car, turn off the engine, and open the engine compartment cover. If there is a significant temperature difference between the upper and lower hoses, it indicates a thermostat failure. 2. The engine does not reach normal operating temperature for a long time: Park the car and let the engine temperature drop to match the ambient temperature. Restart the engine and drive. When the dashboard temperature reaches around 70 degrees, park the car, turn off the engine, and open the engine compartment cover. If there is no temperature difference between the upper and lower radiator hoses, it indicates a thermostat failure. 3. Use an infrared thermometer to target the thermostat housing and measure the temperature changes at the thermostat's inlet and outlet to determine if the thermostat is opening. When the engine starts, the inlet temperature will rise, indicating the thermostat is closed. When the temperature gauge reaches 70 degrees, measure the outlet temperature. If it suddenly increases and the temperature gauge shows above 80 degrees, the thermostat is opening and working normally. If there is no temperature change, it indicates the thermostat is malfunctioning and needs replacement.
When it comes to judging whether the thermostat of a Cruze is good or bad, I often help friends check their car issues. Simply put, after starting the car and waiting a few minutes, check the temperature gauge on the dashboard. If the needle doesn’t rise to the middle position, like 90 degrees, or shoots straight into the red zone, the thermostat is likely stuck and malfunctioning. You can open the hood and feel the upper and lower radiator hoses—if both are cold or both are scalding hot, it means the coolant isn’t circulating properly, and the thermostat isn’t opening and closing to regulate the temperature. Another method is to turn on the heater after a cold start; if it takes a long time to warm up, it indicates a heat exchange issue. Signs like the engine overheating for no reason while driving or coolant leaks are also red flags. I recommend not delaying—replacing it isn’t too expensive, costing just a couple hundred yuan. If you’re handy, you can try a DIY replacement, but make sure to buy the right matching parts to avoid affecting fuel efficiency and safety. Regular checks can save you from major trouble.
I've encountered thermostat failures several times before. When driving my Cruze, the engine suddenly overheated and almost broke down. To determine if it's faulty, pay attention to your daily driving experience: if the temperature doesn't rise after starting or spikes too quickly, and the cooling fan keeps running nonstop, the thermostat might be stuck in the closed or open position. You can ask a mechanic friend to do a simple test—use an infrared thermometer to check the temperature difference between the engine and radiator; it should be mild and evenly distributed. Don't ignore details like coolant color changes or low fluid levels, as they often indicate a leaking thermostat. After parking, check the hoses for rust or leaks. If you spot any issues, get them fixed ASAP—delaying could lead to blown head gaskets and cost you more. Safety first!
Judging the condition of the Cruze thermostat is quite straightforward. After starting the vehicle, wait for ten minutes and observe whether the temperature gauge stabilizes in the middle zone. If it remains stuck at the low-temperature mark or shoots up to the high-temperature range, the thermostat is faulty. Checking the temperature difference between the upper and lower radiator hoses by hand is also effective: under normal conditions, one should be hot and the other cool with a noticeable difference. Remember to turn on the heater when starting a cold engine; if it takes too long to warm up, that's a sign of trouble. These issues may lead to increased fuel consumption or engine overheating, which can damage the vehicle. It's best to perform regular maintenance checks to avoid complications.
