Where is the car thermostat generally located?
2 Answers
The car thermostat is generally installed at the upper water outlet of the engine. The thermostat must maintain good technical condition; otherwise, it will severely affect the normal operation of the engine. If the main valve of the thermostat opens too late, it will cause the engine to overheat. If the main valve opens too early, the engine's preheating time will be too short, resulting in the engine temperature being too low. The thermostat automatically adjusts the amount of water entering the radiator based on the coolant temperature to ensure the engine operates within the appropriate temperature range, which can help save energy. This is because the engine consumes more fuel at low temperatures and causes greater damage to the car, including the easy formation of carbon deposits and a series of related problems.
I remember back when I was fixing cars, the thermostat was usually hidden in the core area of the engine. In most vehicle models, it's installed either at the engine cylinder head's coolant outlet or the water pump's inlet, wrapped tightly in a metal housing. If you pop open the hood and follow the thickest upper radiator hose, you'll typically find it near the top of the engine, where it connects to the radiator. That thing essentially acts like a temperature-sensitive switch – it stays shut during cold starts to prevent coolant from flowing to the radiator, then gradually opens for cooling when the water temperature hits around 90 degrees Celsius. Getting its position wrong makes removal and installation a real pain; last time I replaced one on my old Tiguan, I nearly cracked the hose. The placement is quite deliberate – it needs to accurately sense water temperature while efficiently controlling the circulation system. If it gets stuck or the seal fails, the engine could either warm up too slowly or outright overheat. During routine maintenance, always remind your mechanic to check the housing for any signs of leakage.
