A good car can serve you faithfully for many years. In fact, this can stretch in to decades if the vehicle is well-maintained and cared for. Should you choose to trade your vehicle in for a newer model, its overall condition will increase its value. Knowing the functions of some of the key parts of your vehicle and keeping on top of maintenance is essential for any driver. One of those parts is the thermostat valve. Let’s take a look at what this part does, how to diagnose failures, and how to fix it.

What does the thermostat valve do?

Also known as the thermostat valve or simply the thermostat, this valve is responsible for moderating the temperature of a vehicle’s engine. While many of us are aware of the potential perils of an engine overheating, an engine also will not work properly when it is too cold. Therefore, it is the job of the thermostat to regulate the temperature between these extremes, creating a happy medium that promotes optimum driving by controlling the flow of coolant that can circulate the engine. The thermostat valve allows coolant to circulate and keeps the engine cool.

As it functions as a valve, the thermostat has 2 positions: open and closed. When the valve is in the open position, coolant is able to flow through it, which lowers the engine’s temperature. When the valve closes, it blocks the entry of fresh coolant to the engine, allowing it to warm up. This part works alongside your vehicle’s radiator. When the coolant has become too warm, it passes it back to the radiator, which works to return it to a suitable temperature.

Cold Engine – When the thermostat determines an engine is too cold, it closes itself. This prevents coolant from leaving the engine and being cycled to the radiator for cooling. This allows the coolant to warm up with the engines heat, warming the engine overall.

Hot Engine – When the thermostat determines the engine is becoming too hot, it opens. This allows fresh, cold coolant to enter the system, which starts to cool it down to a safer temperature. The coolant which had become warm is cycled out to the radiator for cooling.

In short, without your vehicle’s thermostat, your engine is at risk of running too hot and overheating or running too cold and shutting down. The thermostat keeps the engine at its optimum temperature, meaning the parts of your engine system can work to the best of their ability and will last longer, all while giving you the best drive possible in the process.

Stuck Valve

The most common issue a thermostat valve can have, which will cause it to cease functioning, is it it becomes stuck in the open or closed position. This will cause your engine to either become too hot or too cold, severely affecting the performance of your car.

If you’re concerned that you might have a stuck valve, you can check and test the valve yourself following the steps below:

• Preparation: Disconnect the negative battery cable and drain some of the coolant from the system. This will prevent any spillages when testing.
• Removal – Remove the upper radiator hose. This will then allow you to remove the thermostat housing and finally the thermostat itself. When removing the thermostat, write down the temperature that is stamped on it.
• Testing – Fill a pot with cold water and insert a thermometer. Add the thermostat and place the pot on your stove. Keep your eye on the thermometer. Once the temperature reaches the number that you recorded, it should start to open. If this happens, then it means your thermostat is in working order. If this doesn’t happen, or the thermostat only starts to open at higher heats, it is faulty and needs replacing.

Servicing

There’s no need to worry if you’re not mechanically savvy, as your thermostat can be tested by a professional as part of regular servicing and maintenance. Do not to worry if you haven’t had your vehicle serviced for a while, as it really is better late than never. If you live in or around Spring or Houston, TX, you should make Das European Autohaus your first stop. We specialize in imported cars, and with a 4.5 star rating, the team at Das European Autohaus knows exactly how to