What's Wrong with a Faulty Thermostat?
2 Answers
The common causes of thermostat failure include: 1. The valve opening and fully opening temperature is too high, or it may not open at all: This prevents the coolant from effectively circulating in a large loop, causing the engine to overheat. The solution is to replace the valve. 2. The thermostat does not close tightly: This leads to slow engine warming, resulting in the engine being too cold. The solution is to replace the thermostat. Information about the thermostat is as follows: 1. Most thermostat valves are made of aluminum alloy. If unclean water is added for a long time, the aluminum alloy can corrode and rust. When the engine water temperature rises to 80°C, the main valve of the thermostat should open normally to start the large circulation. 2. The thermostat is part of the cooling system. This component is used to control the coolant's circulation between large and small loops. Water-cooled engines rely on the continuous circulation of coolant within the engine for heat dissipation.
Last time I drove to the countryside, the temperature gauge suddenly shot up to the red line, and I panicked! This is a classic symptom of a faulty thermostat. The thermostat is a crucial component of the car's cooling system, acting like a smart valve to regulate coolant flow and maintain the engine at its optimal operating temperature. If it fails, the most common issue is getting stuck in the closed position, preventing coolant circulation and causing the engine to overheat. Alternatively, it might get stuck open, leading to an overcooled engine, difficulty starting, and a sharp increase in fuel consumption. There could be several reasons for this: aging or failure of the internal wax element, deformation or damage to the sealing ring, or rust and sticking of the spring. Driving with this issue is dangerous because uncontrolled engine temperature can cause deformation, cylinder scoring, or even burning out critical components. I immediately pulled over, let the engine cool down, and drove to the repair shop to replace it—costing less than 500 yuan. Regularly check the temperature gauge and watch for signs of coolant leaks. Don't push your luck on the road—safety first.