What are the symptoms of a damaged thermostat in the Tiggo 3?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a damaged thermostat in the Tiggo 3 are: 1. If the thermostat fails to open, the temperature gauge will display the coolant temperature in the high-temperature zone; 2. If the car thermostat fails to close, the coolant temperature will rise slowly. Taking the 2020 Tiggo 3 as an example, it belongs to the small SUV category, with body dimensions of: length 4420mm, width 1760mm, height 1670mm, wheelbase of 2510mm, fuel tank capacity of 55 liters, and curb weight of 1358kg. The 2020 Tiggo 3 is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum horsepower of 116PS, maximum power of 85kW, maximum torque of 143Nm, and is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.
When I was driving my Tiggo 3, the thermostat failed once, and the symptoms were quite obvious. The temperature gauge kept spiking into the red warning zone, steam was rising from the engine hood, and it smelled like something was burning. Even with the heater on, no warm air came out, making the car freezing cold in winter. This component is a valve that controls coolant flow—if it fails, it gets stuck. If stuck in the closed position, coolant can't circulate, causing a rapid temperature rise and risking engine overheating, which can damage the cylinder head. If stuck open, the engine never reaches optimal temperature, staying in a cold state for a long time, increasing fuel consumption and emissions. In severe cases, it may leak coolant or cause the fan to run non-stop. For safety, always monitor the dashboard—if the warning light turns red, pull over immediately. Don't push it on highways, as it could lead to serious accidents. Replacing a faulty thermostat isn't expensive, but make sure to choose a reputable shop to avoid bigger repair costs later.
