[Car maintenance] Bad thermostat symtoms

[crawlingsada]

The car thermostat is a component managing coolant flowing through many crannies and nooks of the engine. The thermostat can open and close in response to the temperature inside the engine.

Here are some signs that your car?s thermostat is failing, based on my personal experience:

1. Irregular gauge temperature reading
A consistently high or low temperature gauge reading is the most visible indicator of a faulty automobile thermostat.

Typically, this happens after the car has been started for 15 - 30 minutes. It can, however, happen before any symptoms of overheating occur. It's also worth noting that certain less expensive car models don't have a temperature gauge.

2. Engine overheat
An overheating engine is another indicator of a malfunctioning thermostat. It will be very clear, even to people who have never experienced an engine overheat before. There will be a lot of smoke, your engine will significantly lose power, and unusual odors will be present.

3. Odd noises
You may then hear a slight rumbling noise originating from the engine compartment. This indicates that the coolant is boiling away due to overheating, whether it's in the radiator or a coolant reservoir.

4. Fluctuating coolant level
Due to varying engine temperatures, your car's coolant levels may often rise and fall over time. This is very normal. If, on the other hand, your car's coolant "magically" vanished after you just topped it up, you may have a coolant leakage. In most cases, the thermostat is likely to be the area where the leak could occur.