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But for the average car owner, you can expect to pay between $140 and $300 for a professional mechanic to replace the thermostat in your vehicle for you. The cost of the actual thermostat unit itself is usually between $20 and $80 but can be more for luxury or sports cars.
What are the symptoms of a bad thermostat?
Bad Thermostat Symptoms Overheating Engine. If the thermostat stays closed, the engine’s coolant cannot reach the radiator and, therefore, cannot cool down. Temperature Fluctuations. Heater fluctations. Possible Leakages & Steam from engine. Rising Temperature and Full Expansion Tank.
Can you drive a car with a bad thermostat?
Can I Still Drive with a Bad Thermostat? The easy answer to this question is no. While your car may be physically able to move and get you from Point A to Point B, you will want to refrain from operating your vehicle. This can lead to more parts of your vehicle being damaged, especially if the engine is overheating.
How do I know if I need a new thermostat in my car?
Here are the signs your car thermostat is failing: The temperature gauge reads high and the engine overheats. The temperature changes erratically. The vehicle’s coolant leaks around the thermostat or under the vehicle.
Can a car run without a thermostat?
Yes, your car can overheat even without a thermostat. The thermostat allows the engine to come up to normal operating temperature faster by shutting off or restricting the flow of coolent in the engine. When your engine is up to operating temperature, the thermostat is completely open.
How long do car thermostats last?
However, most car experts recommend car thermostat replacement after 10 years. However, this is an optimistic number. Thermostats are more likely to stop working much earlier than a decade. Some factors that induce an early thermostat failure include harsh weather, rough driving, bad engine or thermostat parts.
What causes a thermostat to fail?
Thermostats fail because they become weak, stuck open or stuck closed. When a thermostat is stuck open, coolant constantly circulates and the engine takes longer to reach operating temperature.
How do I know if my car thermostat is bad?
To be sure, remove the thermostat from the engine and drop it into a bucket of boiling water (over 200 degrees). The thermostat should open while it’s submerged close once it’s pulled out. If it fails this test, the thermostat is defective and should be replaced immediately.
How do you test a car thermostat?
Start your car’s engine and allow it to idle. Look through the radiator filler neck to see if the coolant flows. At this time, it should not be flowing as your car has not reached the operating temperature to cause the thermostat to open. If you find the coolant is flowing, it means the thermostat valve is open.
How do I know if my thermostat or water pump is bad?
Five Signs Your Water Pump Is Failing Overheating. A dead or dying water pump cannot circulate coolant through your vehicle’s engine and, as such, the engine will overheat. Coolant Leaks. Coolant leaks from the water pump are common and a clear sign that it’s time to replace the pump. Corroded Water Pump. Whining Noises.
Will a bad thermostat throw a code?
the most noticeable issues occur when the thermostat gets stuck in either the open or closed position. a malfunction can result in a trouble code, generated by the engine’s computer, which can turn on your check engine light.
How much does a thermostat cost?
Thermostat Costs The national average cost is $175. The thermostat will run between $15 and $300, depending on the type and its features. A licensed electrician can typically set one up in fewer than two hours at a rate of $65 to $100 per hour.
Why is my car overheating with a new thermostat?
You could be having a problem with your radiator being clogged up. This will cause the flow of the coolant in the system to be restricted, causing the truck to overheat. A clog in the heater core could also cause this problem. The most likely cause is a clogged radiator.
Is it bad if thermostat is stuck open?
Thermostat stuck open: When the thermostat is stuck open, the engine temperature drops below normal when driving, especially on the highway in cold weather. A stuck-open thermostat can also cause lack of heat from the heating system. The Check Engine light may come on too.
Do I need to drain coolant before replacing thermostat?
You don’t need to drain the entire cooling system with a normal top-mounted thermostat. If the engine is hot, don’t drain it. The thermostat housing should be below the level of the radiator tap or bottom hose.
What is the effect of removing thermostat from a car?
Removing the thermostat will simply make the engine to over cool. That is bad. It will increase fuel consumption, as the engine CTS (coolant temperature sensor) will assume the engine’s not up to normal operating temperature, and simply inject more fuel in.
What happens when the thermostat goes out in a car?
Because your thermostat controls temperature of fluids from the radiator hose, a bad thermostat will cause your car to overheat. If the thermostat becomes stuck in the closed position, antifreeze doesn’t flow from the radiator, causing overheating.
