Cooling System Thermostat
It is very important to keep your car running at an appropriate temperature to prevent it from over heating. There are a few key components used on your car that help ensure this does not happen. Some of the parts that work together include the radiator, the radiator cooling fans, the water pump and the cooling system thermostat.
When your car begins overheating it is time to start checking all the cooling system components. Having just one problem with any of the required cooling parts can cause your car to show signs of overheating. A car that is overheating can have serious problems and a lot of damage can be done in a short amount of time. This is why it is crucial to diagnose the problem as soon as you notice any overheating at all.
Although there are many things that could be going wrong with the cooling system, one of the things you should check is the cooling system thermostat. The cooling system thermostat has a very important job. When the engine begins to heat up, the thermostat is responsible for allowing the liquid coolant to flow to the radiator. When the thermostat is no longer working properly the coolant is never released into the radiator causing the engine to overheat. The thermostat typically allows the car to heat to between 180 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit before it opens up and allows the coolant to do its job.
If you are suspicious that the thermostat is not working correctly then there are a couple different ways you can test it out. In order to test the thermostat while it is still in the car you must start the car and watch the thermostat to see if the temperature starts to rise. If the temperature rises up to 200 degrees but the thermostat never opens to allow the coolant to flow to the radiator then you know the thermostat has gone bad. Another way to determine if the thermostat is working is to remove it from the car and place it into a pot of hot water on the stove. Raise the water temperature to boiling and watch to see whether the temperature on the thermostat begins to rise. Once it does rise to the 180-200 degree mark check and see if it opens up. If not then you know it is not working. Another good tip is to place an oven thermometer inside the boiling water to compare the temperatures on both thermometers. This will help you see whether or not the temperature is even accurate on the thermostat to begin with.
If the problem does in fact lie within the thermostat then it is a very simple fix and your car should be back to working order soon. The cooling system thermostats are very inexpensive and are easy to install. If the thermostat does work and shows no signs of being faulty then you know to move on to inspect another part of the cooling system. Although the thermostat is one of the most common reasons a car begins to overheat, there are also many other factors that can contribute to the same problem.
For those who do not know much about working on cars or do not have the time to inspect the car for problems with the cooling system then it may be best to have your car looked at professionally. Either way, you should have the reason for the over heating determined as soon as possible. Driving a car that is over heating is extremely hazardous and should be taken seriously.
