Thermostat Replacement
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Thermostat Replacement
How much does it cost to replace a thermostat in a car?
You can expect a car thermostat replacement to be between $200 and $350 for most vehicles, although some can be more due to vehicle design.
While you might think your engine thermostat’s only purpose is to prevent overheating, that’s not all it does.
Your engine thermostat also restricts coolant flow on warmup to create heat inside your car sooner, and to get the engine into the best operating range for proper emissions.
Over time by constantly opening and closing during operation, the thermostat can become weak, get stuck open or closed, or become restricted by corrosion buildup.
What is a car thermostat?
A car thermostat is a small, mechanical valve inside the cooling system. When the thermostat is below operating temperature, a spring keeps it closed.
It prevents engine coolant from flowing through the coolant hoses to the radiator, keeping coolant inside the engine until it warms up.
As the engine temperature increases to the thermostat’s operating temperature, a small charge of wax inside the valve expands and opens the valve, and the water pump can circulate the engine’s coolant throughout the cooling system.
What are the symptoms you may need your car thermostat replaced?
The signs that your car thermostat needs to be replaced are:
- Your engine doesn’t get up to operating temperature
- There is no heat coming through your dash vents
- The temperature gauge spikes to hot while running and your engine overheats
- The engine light illuminates for coolant temperature codes
How is a car thermostat replaced?
The cooling system is carefully drained to prevent any spills Then a technician will locate the thermostat, which is typically on the engine and connected to the upper radiator hose.
Once located, the thermostat housing is unbolted and removed from the engine, allowing access to the thermostat itself. The failed thermostat is extracted from its position and a new thermostat is then installed, ensuring it is in the exact orientation as the old part.
After the replacement, the cooling system is refilled with the appropriate coolant. Finally, the engine is run to operating temperature to verify that the repair was successful and that the thermostat is working correctly.
Can I drive with a broken thermostat?
If the thermostat remains closed, the engine can overheat, risking significant damage to both the engine and the cooling system. Therefore, we advise against driving with a faulty thermostat.
How important is replacing your car thermostat?
Having a faulty thermostat could spell an overheating condition that will damage your engine and cooling system.
Along with that comes expensive engine repairs. A thermostat stuck open can cause your engine not to achieve operating temperature, meaning more fuel consumption, poor emissions, and lack of heat inside your car.
If you think your car thermostat needs to be replaced, get an online quote from a specialist today!
