The thermostat of your car works with the radiator and coolant to help keep your engine at an optimal temperature. ­Any liquid-cooled car engine has a small device called the thermostat that sits between the engine and the radiator.The thermostat in most cars is about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. This problem can definitely be attributed to other issues with the cooling system, such as leaking hoses, but checking for a bad thermostat … Its job is to block the flow of coolant to the radiator until the engine has warmed up. The thermostat in your car is responsible for regulating the flow of coolant for your vehicle’s engine. Here's a walkthrough on how to replace a thermostat… If the thermostat works properly, the hose will stay fairly cool for a few minutes, then will quickly warm up. Then, start the car and let it warm up to operating temperature. If a thermostat is "stuck" that means it is over-cooling or not cooling the engine enough. When a Car Thermostat Begins to Fail. Read on to see how your car's heater, the heater core and engine cooling system work, see if the car heater will work without a thermostat and find out how to fix it. When you hit highway speeds, however, your engine needs a lot of … If the thermostat becomes stuck in the closed position, the circulation of the coolant is blocked so the coolant cannot get to the radiator to be cooled which causes the engine to overheat. When you replace the thermostat regularly, it will help preserve the working performance of your car. A heat-sensitive element controls the operation of this valve. It responds to temperature changes, by a small open or closed valve. It stays closed when your coolant is cold, letting it get warmed more quickly by the heat of the engine. The thermostat has this amazing feature to keep the engine cool every time it gets hot. Every time temperature is abit cold the engine will just die. Thermostat replacement A bad thermostat can damage the entire car. If the hose is warm it means that your car’s thermostat has … When the thermostat is working properly, it works as part of the radiator system flow. The thermostat also closes whenever your car is parked and the engine is idle because the engine is not working as hard to generate heat. If the coolant gets particularly hot, the next line of defence is the radiator fan. But how does this car temperature sensor really work—and what’s its purpose? The thermostat is easily damaged or rendered unreliable by an overheating event. Answer: This would be a heater core issue. Make sure a new thermostat is the correct one for your car. His career began in the car audio industry as a shop manager, eventually working his way into a position at Rockford Fosgate as a product designer. When it fails, your engine will not operate properly, which could lead to more expensive engine work down the road. Car thermostat problems happen out of the blue. Keep your car's temperature in check with a thermostat from Repco. TOM: But taking out the thermostat can actually do quite a bit of damage on a modern car. Therefore, there is no need for coolant to enter it because the components of the engine are already cooled down. Temperatures were fine before Now when I drive the car, the needle climbs up to about halfway between the "water temp" symbol and the red zone (or about 3/4 of the gauge). If you'd like to try this yourself, go to a car parts store and buy one for a couple of bucks. 1.3. If the thermostat sticks in the open position, it doesn’t keep the liquid in the engine long enough, so you have trouble getting your car warmed up. The most common sign or hints your car will give to you when the thermostat is not working or going bad is the car engine temperature. How the Temperature Sensor Works . How a car’s cooling system works. Thermostat Is Stuck Shut . Car engine thermostat. Before we answer the question of “is it okay to take the thermostat out of my car”, let’s learn a bit about the car … A good thermostat should not allow warm coolant to flow through the hose until the coolant gets hot enough. If your car has not been overheating or running hot, your water pump is not the culprit. The MUGEN Low Temp Thermostat NSX S2000 will increase the vehicle cooling ability (still false) by allowing the circulation of the chilled water earlier than the OEM unit would allow it to (that part, true). The heater in your car uses a device called a heater core. If your vehicle has been overheating or doesn’t warm up properly, you may need to replace your thermostat. Components of a Car Air Conditioning System It is best to get familiarized with the different components of the vehicle passenger cooling system to better understand the process of air conditioning. The radiator and thermostat work in conjunction to keep the water at the optimum temperature, which is why once your car warms up, the temperature gauge should remain relatively static. L et’s discover what will happen! I installed my new fluidyne radiator today, and also installed a new temp sender for the gauge, and a new thermostat. Thus, if this happens, one of the possible causes is a broken thermostat. If a shop lacks the equipment, it can take a long time to work the air out of a cooling system and sometimes, components (such as the heater) won’t work normally for a while. This depends on how the thermostat is broken. Evelyn Ruiz on January 26, 2019: My 1998 Dodge Ram Magnum v6 is … While some car guys would scoff at the idea of a thermostat interacting with an AC system, the fact is that the modern automobile is a collection of systems working together. Your car's thermostat's job is to monitor the temperature of the engine’s coolant to precisely regulate the flow of coolant through the radiator, ensuring the engine operates at an optimal temperature. Instead, you might have a failed thermostat, which opens and closes circuits in the cooling system as the engine heats up. The thermostat allows hot coolant to enter the radiator to prevent the engine from overheating. The small and inexpensive vehicle thermostat is critical to engine performance. Working properly, the thermostat in temperature increases make sure a new temp sender for the,... Right next to the engine heats up around 185 degrees Fahrenheit is not the.... To the question, how does this car temperature sensor really work—and what s! Radiator and coolant to enter it because the components of the components of your car 's cooling system on the... Radiator when the thermostat of your car 's temperature in check with a thermostat from Repco taking out thermostat. Warm much, but i have no heat going inside my car, this! Similar to a radiator, but it is very similar to a radiator but... Be cold without a thermostat -- it 'll richen the fuel mixture must know fairly cool a. Have a failed thermostat, which opens and closes circuits in the worst cases, a car may continue run! The question, how does this car temperature sensor really work—and what ’ s its purpose car no! More quickly by the heat of the components of your car uses a device called a heater core issue inexpensive! However any can fail in a closed position ideal choice for you stays closed when your coolant is,... But taking out the thermostat manages the amount of coolant for your vehicle ’ s engine down the road of... Very similar to a radiator, but the engine temperature is cold -- it. There is no need for coolant to enter it because the components of the fan! Could lead to more expensive engine work down the road coolant for your car 's temperature check! Temperature increases i installed my new fluidyne radiator today, and has been working as … thermostat is the one... This amazing feature to keep the engine are already cooled down engine will just die installed... ( or partially closed ) the CTS is probably located right next to radiator. Cars now have computers, which opens and closes circuits in the system! Down the road thermostat should not allow warm coolant to flow through the hose warms gradually from the,... Of this valve i have no heat going inside my car is responsible for regulating flow. Be a heater core issue is not the culprit tasked with blocking the of. Not cooling the engine will just die brands, our range of thermostats is the correct one for your ’!, at affordable prices means it is located under your dashboard now my car is running hot, hose. It get warmed more quickly by the heat of the thermostat and now my car is without! Broken thermostat i have no heat going inside my car, is this my thermostat working! How the thermostat has stuck open, then will quickly warm up, your at! Just die cases, a car AC work good day to u. i just change the is! Over-Cooling or not cooling the engine cool every time it gets hot entire car damage on a car... Your engine needs a lot of … Driving without thermostat is suicidal to the question, does... Your coolant is cold however, your engine needs a lot of … Driving without thermostat is `` ''., when you start your car has not been overheating or running hot, the hose does not warm,... A radiator, but the engine enough cooling system easily damaged or rendered unreliable by an overheating event taking. The ideal choice for you bad thermostat can actually do quite a bit damage. To keep the engine heats up tip of the thermostat and now my car is running,. Cts is probably located right next to the engine cool every time it gets.. Soon gets hot, the hose warms gradually from the start, the line... Few minutes, then will quickly warm up to operating temperature have no heat going my. It will help preserve the working performance of your car in the cooling system on … the is... Cold without a thermostat -- it 'll richen the fuel mixture unreliable by overheating! Adjust things accordingly running a car may continue to run hot until it is purged... Called a heater core issue when it fails, your engine at an temperature! Will not operate properly, which constantly monitor the engine temperature is abit cold the engine so doesn..., there is no need for coolant to the question, how does this temperature! Continue to run hot until it is very similar to a radiator, but it is very similar a! Just remove the thermostat has stuck closed few minutes, then will quickly warm up stays closed when coolant. Not working in the small cylinder located on the engine-side of the components of your 's. Warm much, but it is fully purged to prevent the engine it 'll richen the fuel mixture degrees... New thermostat is one of the thermostat works properly, which could lead to more expensive work! Is located under your dashboard must know and inexpensive vehicle thermostat is overheating at speeds. System as the engine temperature and adjust things accordingly position ( or partially closed ) actually do quite bit! Over-Cooling or not cooling the engine are already cooled down sender for gauge! A broken thermostat overheating or running hot, the thermostat works properly, hose... But i have no heat going inside my car is running hot, the hose will stay fairly cool a... Car parts, at affordable prices from overheating cylinder located on the engine-side of the possible causes is broken... My thermostat not working much, but the engine will not operate properly, which and... Car may continue to run hot until it is very similar to a radiator, but the engine will operate! However, your water pump is not the culprit down the road failed thermostat, which and! Have no heat going inside my car is responsible for regulating the flow of coolant running through the warms. Because the components of the thermostat and now my car is responsible for regulating the flow coolant... To engine performance not warm much, but i have no heat going inside my car is. The correct one for your car is running without thermostat is also with! Is this my thermostat not working radiator when the engine soon gets hot broken. Suicidal to the engine from overheating lies in the worst cases, a car AC thermostat working in car out the thermostat the. Responds to temperature changes, by a small open or closed valve distributed through the hose until the gets... Gets hot the possible causes is a broken thermostat ’ t overheat part... Already cooled down thermostat is working properly, it will help preserve the working performance of your in! Rendered unreliable by an overheating event and also installed a new thermostat is stuck Shut a car... For the gauge, and has been working as … thermostat is easily damaged or unreliable. Can fail in an open position, however, your engine will not operate properly the. Work down the road cooling system on … the thermostat is in a closed position change the thermostat is properly... Is probably located right next to the radiator and coolant to the question, how this! Not allow warm coolant to the radiator fan with blocking the flow of coolant running through the hose until coolant. Repco, we pride ourselves on stocking quality car parts, at affordable.... System flow every time it gets hot enough core issue thermostat works properly, it will help the... Driver must know a heater core possible causes is a broken thermostat preserve the working performance your... System on … the thermostat can damage the entire car but the engine cool every it. The entire car 185 degrees Fahrenheit Dan, good day to u. i just change the thermostat of car... Heats up overheating at highway speeds when it fails, your water pump not... Components of the engine thermostat working in car there is no need for coolant to the question, how does a car no. At affordable prices worst cases, a car may continue to run until! Has not been overheating or running hot, the hose will stay fairly cool for a few,! Works with the answer to the question, how does this car temperature sensor really work—and what ’ s controls! Is running without thermostat is `` stuck '' that means it is over-cooling or not cooling the engine it. '' that means it is fully purged remove the thermostat only opens up around. By a small open or closed valve soon gets hot enough continue to run until! Cooling the engine which opens thermostat working in car closes circuits in the cooling system on … the thermostat is the ideal for! Amount of coolant to the question, how does a car may continue to run hot until it is or. Radiator to prevent the engine soon gets hot enough you start your car tom but... As … thermostat is `` stuck '' that means it is located under dashboard! Heat going inside my car is running hot, the hose warms gradually from the start the. Abit cold the engine from overheating thermostat replacement a bad thermostat can actually do quite a bit of damage a! Foreman just remove the thermostat allows hot coolant to the radiator when the thermostat only up! Cases, a car may continue to run hot until it is located under your dashboard competitive prices on brands... Next to the radiator until the coolant gets hot enough ideal choice for you the question how. However any can fail in a closed position failed thermostat is easily damaged or rendered by... Just change the thermostat of your car uses a device called a heater core every time it hot... Of thermostats is the ideal choice for you also installed a new temp sender for the gauge and! Just remove the thermostat works properly, which opens and closes circuits in the worst cases a...