I Think My European Automobile’s Thermostat Has Gone Bad

If you drive an older European automobile that is overheating constantly, it’s possible that the thermostat has gone bad. Peak Euro advises that you can expect to get about 10 years of service out of the factory thermostat. After this duration, the thermostat can begin to malfunction and this directly affects your engine’s temperature. There are ways you can tell whether the thermostat is functioning correctly, and we are going to list the signs of a faulty thermostat below for your information.

Rusty Thermostat Housing

If you visibly inspect your thermostat and see that there is rust all over the outside of it, the thermostat has a slow leak that is causing the corrosion. The thermostat uses a valve to release the coolant into the engine when the temperature rises above 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes, and older thermostats, the valve can get stuck in the closed position and cause the coolant to seep out. This corrodes the thermostat housing and causes it to rust.

Leaking Engine Coolant

Eventually, the coolant leak can get so bad that you end up with spots on the garage floor. If you have a puddle of engine coolant on the garage floor, do not drive your European automobile because the engine will overheat. Coolant can leak out of an old thermostat as well as an old water pump or other cooling system parts. Examples of some of the parts include the cooling system hoses, seals, and gaskets. It’s important to get a cooling system leak fixed as soon as possible.

Weird Temperature Changes

If you have noticed weird temperature changes being reflected on the temperature gauge on the dashboard, the thermostat is most likely malfunctioning. Sometimes, when the thermostat gets too old, it will release the coolant into the engine at the wrong times. Unfortunately, you will notice that your engine’s temperature keeps going back and forth from cold to hot. This can cause engine performance problems, and, when the engine is hot, it can damage it.

Overheating Engine

Finally, as we mentioned above, if you are European automobiles engine is overheating all the time, it’s possible that the thermostat has gone bad and needs to be replaced. An overheating engine, especially right after you start your automobile, is a sign that the thermostat has not released coolant into the engine. This could be because the valve is stuck or the thermostat is misreading the engine’s temperature.

Peak Euro is the best auto service shop in Bend, OR. We are European automobile experts, so give us a call today.