What are the hazards of a faulty thermostat to a car?
2 Answers
The hazards of a faulty thermostat to a car include: 1. The engine cannot reach the optimal operating temperature; 2. Increased engine wear, shortening the engine's lifespan; 3. Engine oil fails to achieve the optimal viscosity, increasing engine operation resistance; 4. The engine cannot operate at normal temperature. The functions of a thermostat are: 1. Automatically adjusting the amount of water entering the radiator based on the coolant temperature, changing the water circulation range to regulate the cooling system's heat dissipation capacity; 2. Ensuring the engine operates within the appropriate temperature range. A thermostat is a valve that controls the flow path of the coolant, an automatic temperature-regulating device that typically contains a temperature-sensing component, using thermal expansion or contraction to open or close the flow of air, gas, or liquid.
I've been driving for nearly twenty years and have experienced the dangers of a faulty thermostat. Once during a long-distance drive on the highway, the temperature gauge suddenly shot up to the red line, and the car became as hot as if it were on fire. I quickly pulled over to check and found that the thermostat was stuck, preventing the coolant from circulating and dissipating heat. This can cause severe engine overheating, leading to issues like cylinder block deformation and piston seizure, or even worse, engine seizure and complete failure, with repair costs ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. Even more concerning, frequent high-temperature operation can burn out the belt system or even cause a fire, posing serious safety risks, especially during long summer trips when breakdowns or accidents are more likely. I was lucky to have handled it in time, avoiding a major repair. Now, I always pay special attention to cooling system checks during maintenance and recommend that car owners regularly replace the coolant and never ignore the temperature warning on the dashboard.
