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Hey Guys,
I've always been curious about something!
How can I tell if a thermostat is stuck open or closed?
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Thermostat
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 08:06 AM
That's easy Neal,
It's pretty plain to see when your thermostat is "stuck open". When it's stuck open, the water flows through it all the time, and doesn't stay in the engine long enough to heat up. One symptom of a stuck-open thermostat is the heater delivering cool air, but this can be caused by other things. Visibly, you'll see a gap between the thermostat frame and the "pellet" even when the thermostat is cold. If so, this is a faulty thermostat.
A "stuck closed" thermostat is considerably less obvious. The thermostat will be closed at room temperature but won't open at the right operating temperature either. This can cause the fluid in the radiator to remain pretty cool while the water inside the engine can't escape. This can lead to overheated engines, warped heads, cracked blocks, blown head gaskets and other serious problems. Usually, the temperature guage will quickly rise to indicate a problem before it gets too serious.
It's pretty plain to see when your thermostat is "stuck open". When it's stuck open, the water flows through it all the time, and doesn't stay in the engine long enough to heat up. One symptom of a stuck-open thermostat is the heater delivering cool air, but this can be caused by other things. Visibly, you'll see a gap between the thermostat frame and the "pellet" even when the thermostat is cold. If so, this is a faulty thermostat.
A "stuck closed" thermostat is considerably less obvious. The thermostat will be closed at room temperature but won't open at the right operating temperature either. This can cause the fluid in the radiator to remain pretty cool while the water inside the engine can't escape. This can lead to overheated engines, warped heads, cracked blocks, blown head gaskets and other serious problems. Usually, the temperature guage will quickly rise to indicate a problem before it gets too serious.
SMALL TOWN BOY
BORN IN THE U.S.A.
AUTO MECHANICS IS NOT A HOBBY. A BIG SET OF TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT COULD FILL A THIMBLE IS A DANGEROUS COMBINATION.
BORN IN THE U.S.A.
AUTO MECHANICS IS NOT A HOBBY. A BIG SET OF TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT COULD FILL A THIMBLE IS A DANGEROUS COMBINATION.
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