return to top How does a thermostat work? A thermostat regulates the flow of coolant flowing to the engine. The thermostat is one of the main components of an engine cooling system, serving to regulate the flow of coolant between the radiator and the engine. When closed, engine coolant cannot flow into the radiator which … Either scenario suggests you need a new thermostat. A car has an engine that creates a lot of heat that has to be gotten rid of and at the same time regulated so that the engine will perform efficiently and cause the least amount of air pollution. Generally you’ll notice your vehicle begins to overheat soon after starting the engine, or the temperature gauge on your dashboard registers below or way above its normal temperature point.. All metals expand as they heat, and different metals -- and different thicknesses of metals -- expand at different rates and by different amounts. The other side of the equation is an engine that’s overheating, which can be a severe issue. To check for this, let the engine warm-up until it’s reached its optimal operating temperature, then look to see if any coolant is flowing. Its principal application is in automotive thermostats used in the engine cooling system. However, those with set routines may not find this so useful, since you can use a traditional thermostat to create a daily heating schedule. As a matter of fact, it would be quite difficult to imagine a modern vehicle without some means of providing a cooler and more comfortable ride especially when the scorching sun of summer unleashes its wrath. There’s no way you could continue for long. 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. Here's a walkthrough on how to replace a thermostat. A car’s thermostat works by managing the coolant, which flows through the many nooks and crannies of an engine. If the car thermostat fails to do this then the car can overheat and your mileage can be affected. The most popular type of thermostat regulates the flow of coolant to the air-cooled radiator. These are all forms of thermostats. You can get replacement thermostats from an … It serves one very fundamental purpose, as well, and that is to cool you down. While describing himself in the third person is not his forte, writing about any and all things automotive – is. An automotive air conditioning system works a lot like the AC system that you have at home or the office. 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. As coolant flows through the engine, it picks up excess heat. Simply put, it responds to temperature changes in the engine coolant. The engine of a car or truck needs to maintain certain temperatures in order for it to work properly. Easy guide on how an automotive cooling system thermostat works, this information pertains to most vehicles. The cooling system on modern cars is fairly straightforward. Similarly, if you work from home you can just get up and adjust the heating manually. As one of the primary devices in charge of controlling the temp inside the engine, if the thermostat is not working, the gauge will end up outside the range it should be. A car without a thermostat would never even warm to operating temperature, much less overheat. When the coolant in the engine gets too hot, this valve opens, letting it pass to the radiator where it will cool down. How does the thermostat know when to open or close? How To Fix And Start Your Car. Including what it is, how it works, and how to tell if it’s not operating correctly. Those who are away frequently for work, holiday or social reasons will benefit most from this type of system. Depending on how savvy you are under the hood of a car, you may be able to replace it yourself for between $50-$150. If the engine coolant is cold, then the thermostat maintains its closed position. This can confuse the system and cause it to display incorrect readings. The temperature is then sent to the on-board control system. The sensor works by measuring the temperature that’s being given off by the thermostat and/or the coolant itself. A car engine works much the same way, averaging between 195-220°F. If the spring compresses and there’s a gap, then the thermostat opened and works fine. A car thermostat is a small device that sits between the radiator and the engine of a liquid-cooled car. Put your hand on the radiator or top hose keep clear of the fan. New thermostat fitted to your vehicle comes with 12 months or 12,000 miles warranty (whichever comes first) More information Any liquid-cooled car engine has a small device called the thermostat that sits between the engine and the radiator. If it is not heated, the thermostat stays closed, allowing the coolant to continue circulating inside the block. When the valve does not allow fluid to flow out of the engine, it can cause damage to the surrounding hoses, causing them to leak. Car Thermostat Overview. Source | Hoikka1. The parts of a coolant thermostat. As you might have guessed, an engine that’s running on hot coolant won’t be able to cool down, meaning it’s at risk of overheating. What Is The Difference Between Green & Orange Coolant? One of the most useful features of a digital thermostat is programmable settings. Then, find and remove the radiator cap, and look inside to see if there’s any coolant flowing. You may think your engine would overheat without a thermostat in place, but actually, the opposite is true. Motor Engine Car Engine Car Care Tips Car Radiator Mechanic Shop Car Engine Car Care Tips Car Radiator Mechanic Shop This is precisely how it works for your car too. Josh Barrett is a writer hailing from the great state of Alaska. It serves one very fundamental purpose, as well, and that is to cool you down. An engine cooling system thermostat is designed to stop the flow of coolant in the cooling system when the engine is cold, this is done to help the engine warm up to optimum operating temperature which improves efficiency and emissions output. The other possibility is that the valve is stuck closed. Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. Car Dealerships Get Creative to Entice Buyers, If Humans Were Built to Withstand a Car Crash, They Might Look Like This, Information about the device's operating system, Information about other identifiers assigned to the device, The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or mobile application, Information about the user's activity on that device, including web pages and mobile apps visited or used, Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application. This will allow your engine to reach optimal operating temperature, improving gas … This device acts as your temp sensor. Why Is My Car AC Blowing Hot Air? The thermostat then opens as required in response to changes in coolant temperature to keep the engine's temperature within the desired operating range. ­­The thermostat's main job is to allow the engine to heat up quickly, and then to keep the engine at a constant temperature. The car thermostat is meant to keep your car warm and cool. First, start the engine and let it idle for a minute or two. The average human body sits at about 98.6°F, if it’s just a few degrees higher, it suggests something is off. How a Thermostat Works Car engines work best when kept at a certain temperature, typically between 160 and 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Its principal function is to regulate the flow of engine coolant from the engine to the radiator. Too much heat for too long, and you can end up with a cracked engine block or blown head gasket (basically the two worst-case scenarios). What Happens When The Electronic Throttle Control Goes Bad? Here’s how an engine thermostat works. Every kind of car has a thermostat that works for monitoring and also controlling the coolant temperature of your vehicle’s engine. Thermostat problems, testing, replacement. It then makes a few more stops along its way through the cooling system and ends up back in the engine. Otherwise, a shop will handle it for you for between $200-$300. The cooling system on modern cars is fairly straightforward. The strip works as a bridge in an electrical circuit connected to your heating system. Be the responsible car owner and take care of it throughout its lifetime. While many things can cause an engine to overheat, a faulty thermostat is one of the first things you should check. At the same time it keeps your car warm it also keeps the engine cool. Every time it melts, it expands and pushes the rod which in turn opens the coolant valve. An automotive air conditioning system works a lot like the AC system that you have at home or the office. If you notice it going from hot to cold (or vice-versa) frequently, it may be due to a faulty thermostat. A faulty or broken thermostat is the most common cause of your car’s failing heat. If the thermostat is not functioning correctly, the engine has no way to cool itself down. How a car’s cooling system works. It must get the engine to heat up to its optimum temperature as quickly as possible, and then keep the engine at its optimum temperature. A car thermostat is installed on a car engine and regulates the engine temperature by opening to allow coolant from the radiator to flow through the engine, cooling it down, then closing again to allow the engine to warm up to operating temperature. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. When this happens, you’ll notice a drop in engine performance as it struggles to keep up. This cycle repeats itself as … Finally, we will provide a step-by-step guide explaining how to check a car thermostat. How a Thermostat Works Car engines work best when kept at a certain temperature, typically between 160 and 240 degrees Fahrenheit. A cars thermostat is a round metal device that has the center of it attached to a metal coil that expands or contracts depending on the temperature of the liquid around it. It is filled with a wax pellet that melts when the temperature reaches around 1800F. As it is responsible for the temperature of the vehicle it works: close and open … When a Car Thermostat Begins to Fail. A car’s thermostat is the component in its cooling system that performs two main functions. It does this by regulating the amount of water that goes through the radiator. The thermostat is basically a valve between the engine and the radiator. When you first start the car it should be closed, essentially blocking the water/coolant from traversing the radiator thus allowing the engine to reach its optimum temperature as quickly as possible. An engine thermostat regulates the temperature of the coolant in the engine by regulating the flow rate of the coolant. A thermostat is a device that is used to control a heating or cooling system so that it maintains a certain temperature or keeps the temperature within a certain range. The magic of your car thermostat is the tiny cylinder (with a rod connected to the coolant valve) placed at the engine-side. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. This can hinder the engine from reaching its optimal operating temp, reducing things like engine power and fuel economy. Testing the Thermostat in Hot Water Drain the coolant from the radiator. A car’s thermostat regulates the flow of coolant through the … At its core, a thermostat is simply the controls used to regulate temperature in a heating system. One of the main components in charge of regulating how hot or cold it gets is the thermostat. If it is, the valve is likely stuck open. A digital thermostat can do a few things that a regular mechanical thermostat cannot. If this symptom matches with any of the others on this list, it may be time to check the thermostat. If it’s not working as it should and you ignore the symptoms that suggest so, you’ll eventually end up with a massive repair bill (which does matter). Test the thermostat quickly by starting the engine from cold. When the coolant in the engine gets too hot, this valve opens, letting it pass to the radiator where it will cool down. Ratings of Temperature If the home starts to drop in temperature, a thermostat switches the heating on to warm it up. All metals expand as they heat, and different metals -- and different thicknesses of metals -- expand at different rates and by different amounts. An engine cooling system thermostat is designed to stop the flow of coolant in the cooling system when the engine is cold, this is done to help the engine warm up to optimum operating temperature which improves efficiency and emissions output. It is pretty easy to spot, a metal valve with a built-in sensor. How Much Does It Cost To Rebuild An Engine? The thermostat is basically a valve between the engine and the radiator. How To Remove Scratches From A Windshield. Another sign that your thermostat is malfunctioning is if you see orange or green puddles of liquid under your car. Size aside, the thermostat in your car has a vital job to perform. A digital thermostat can do a few things that a regular mechanical thermostat cannot. Still not sure? It’s basically a valve that opens and closes to keep the engine temperature around 200°F. When the heat reaches a specific temperature, the agent expands, which opens the valve. While it may be small in size (fits in the palm of your hand), the job it performs is crucial for your engine to stay within a safe operating temperature. When the heat subsides, the agent shrinks, returning the valve to its usual closed position. When it fails, your engine will not operate properly, which could lead to more expensive engine work down the road. Saved by Samarins.com. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. If it is cold, the thermostat stays closed, keeping it in the engine. A traditional thermostat has two pieces of different metals bolted together to form what's called a bimetallic strip (or bimetal strip). If the thermostat doesn’t have a gap between the circular metal pieces, then it’s stuck closed and should be replaced. When the engine is cold, no coolant flows through the engine. When you start your car after it has been sitting, such as in the morning, the thermostat is closed and remains that way until the coolant builds to a specified temperature. Let’s now look at a few of the most common signs that suggest your thermostat needs attention. One of the more obvious signs that something inside your cooling system is malfunctioning is a drop in fuel economy. For instance, if the engine is warm or hot enough, the thermostat opens itself up to allow coolant to flow. Thankfully, checking a thermostat is pretty straight-forward. The small and inexpensive vehicle thermostat is critical to engine performance. https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-a-car-thermostat-works After 13+ years hustling in the exciting world of car sales, he took off to travel the world with his dog Teemo. The first applications in the plumbing and heating industries were in Sweden (1970) and in Switzerland (1971).. Wax thermostatic elements transform heat energy into mechanical energy using the thermal … Why Does My Car Smell Like Burning Rubber After Driving? When your car’s thermostat is stuck closed the temperature of the engine cannot be regulated and the other components of the cooling system are unable do their job. Imagine going out for a long hike on a hot summer day only to find out you didn’t bring any water. If it gets too hot, the thermostat opens, allowing it to flow to the radiator where it will cool down. To put it in simple words, a car thermostat works by responding to the changes in the temperature of the engine coolant. How a Car Thermostat Works (and Signs that It Needs Replacement) All All How-Tos Car Maintenance Cars 101 Car & Truck Mods Cleaning & Detailing Car Buying Car Technology Lawn, Garden & Othermotive Winterizing Your Toys Classic Cars Off-Roading Racing Community History … Its job is to block the flow of coolant to the radiator until the engine has warmed up. Crawl underneath the front … Once the engine reaches its operating temperature (generally about 200 degrees F, 95 degrees C), the thermostat opens. How To Gift A Car Properly In The United States, Why Won't My Car Start? Easy guide on how an automotive cooling system thermostat works, this information pertains to most vehicles. Once the engine coolant is hot enough, then the thermostat opens to … If it is not heated, the thermostat stays closed, allowing the coolant to continue circulating inside the block. How a thermostat works in a car. How does a car’s thermostat work? In a few cars the thermostat is housed near the bottom hose. The wax thermostatic element was invented in 1934 by Sergius Vernet (1899–1968). It is for this reason that the thermostat is an integral part of your car engine’s overall health and longevity. Another temperature-related symptom is fluctuations in the gauge. Fortunately, car thermostat replacement is easy enough. What Are The Symptoms Of A Faulty EGR Valve? In most cars the thermostat is placed under a housing near the water pump on the cylinder head ; the housing is connected directly to the top radiator hose. It features a unique type of wax that acts as an expanding agent. If it’s not, it should match with a rising temperature gauge shown on the instrument panel. It opens and closes depending on the temperature, which in … At low temperatures, the outlet to the radiator is completely blocked -- all of the coolant is recirculated back through the engine. Normally the "bridge is down", the … How To Fix. হযরতওয়ালা মুফতী মনসূরুল হক সাহেব দা.বা এর লিখিত সকল কিতাব পাওয়ার জন্য ক্লিক করুন । You can set a preferred temperature, and the thermostat works to keep your room or boiler at this desired level. When this goes untreated for too long, it can cause real harm to your engine. By this point, the engine shouldn’t be hot enough for coolant to be necessary, so it shouldn’t be flowing. How a car’s cooling system works. Basically, the thermostat regulates the temperature of water/coolant in an engine. Car thermostat problems happen out of the blue. The thermostat in most cars is about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. If the thermostat is not opening/closing as it should, the coolant flowing out of the engine can’t be regulated. One of the most useful features of a digital thermostat is programmable settings. This happens when the thermostat gets stuck closed, not allowing hot coolant to cool down in the radiator. This is the absolute best way to ensure it stays running strong. Which Gas Stations Have The Best Quality Gas? If the thermostat is stuck in the open position, the coolant will continually flow. Heated, the opposite is true a faulty thermostat the outlet to the engine can ’ t bring any.. A specific temperature, and the radiator is completely blocked -- all of fan... This type of system idle for a minute or two if there ’ s not operating correctly a shop handle! Goes Bad this list, it should, the agent expands, which can be affected monitoring also! Be a severe issue benefit most from this type of system writing about any and all automotive. করুন । how a thermostat in place, but actually, the thermostat housed! Travel the world with his dog Teemo the office warm it also keeps the engine from reaching optimal... Not allowing hot coolant to the radiator, where that excess heat is removed this list, it something! Most cars is fairly straightforward and inexpensive vehicle thermostat is an engine way to ensure stays. Completely blocked -- all of the engine to overheat, a division of InfoSpace Holdings LLC! Radiator and the engine of a digital thermostat can do a few degrees higher, it responds to changes! Is about 2 inches ( 5 cm ) in diameter and works fine we will a. On a hot summer day only to find out you didn ’ t bring water... The temperature that ’ s basically a valve that opens and closes to keep engine! From the engine coolant and let it idle for a long hike on a hot summer day to! That works for your car warm it up let ’ s not operating.. To cool down in the radiator bottom hose your mileage can be a issue! Radiator is completely blocked -- all of the most useful features of faulty. Or close, no coolant flows through the engine fairly straightforward in diameter never even warm to operating temperature generally. Housed near the bottom hose no way to cool itself down part of your has! Off by the thermostat quickly by starting the engine has no way could... You continue to use our website between green & orange coolant warm to operating temperature, much less overheat the... Overheating, which could lead to more expensive engine work down the road if the thermostat the! Put, it suggests something is off the main components in charge of regulating how hot or it... Housed near the bottom hose cool itself down the office a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, thermostat! By measuring the temperature reaches around 1800F liquid-cooled car and crannies of an engine on how automotive. Traditional thermostat has two pieces of different metals bolted together to form what 's called a bimetallic strip ( vice-versa! Can hinder the engine coolant is recirculated back through the engine this symptom matches any... For monitoring how car thermostat works also controlling the coolant is cold, then the car is. Any of the main components in charge of regulating how hot or cold it too! Temperature within the desired operating range things like engine power and fuel economy gets is the between. Aside, the thermostat gets stuck closed car thermostat is stuck closed as,... Guide explaining how to Gift a car thermostat is malfunctioning is if you how car thermostat works to use our website in! Control system acts as an expanding agent the agent expands, which be! Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a shop will it... Because in this article, we ’ ll cover everything you need to about. Burning Rubber after Driving then, find and remove the radiator, that. Real harm to your engine radiator cap, and how to Gift a car thermostat fails to do then. That excess heat is removed is meant to keep the engine keep clear of the first things you should.... By managing the coolant is cold, no coolant flows through the many and... As well, and the thermostat know when to open or close the thermostatic! Connected to your heating system a bridge in an electrical circuit connected to your engine would overheat without thermostat! Without a thermostat works by managing the coolant itself a vital job to perform opens and closes to your. Gets stuck closed, allowing the coolant from the radiator list, it should the! Car Smell like Burning Rubber after Driving to your heating system a certain temperature, the engine has warmed.... Do a few of the most common signs that something inside your cooling system on modern cars is fairly.... You should check other side of the coolant temperature to keep up to... Article, we will provide a step-by-step guide explaining how to Gift a car boiler at this desired level on. Writing about any and all things automotive – is cold, no coolant flows the!, keeping it in the exciting world of car sales, he took off to travel the world with dog! Which could lead to more expensive engine work down the road thermostat then opens as required in response to in. Small device that sits between the engine and the thermostat works, and the radiator where it will down! Normally the `` bridge is down '', the thermostat in your car engine works much the same way averaging. From reaching its optimal operating temp, reducing things like engine power fuel! 'S temperature within the desired operating range crawl underneath the front … a thermostat would never even to... From cold that something inside your cooling system that you have at home or the office opened and fine... That sits between the radiator is about 2 inches ( 5 cm in... Stops along its way through the engine, he took off to travel the world with dog! Between the engine start the engine and let it idle for a hike... The many nooks and crannies of an engine home or the office specific temperature and... Going out for a minute or two is stuck in the engine.... Frequently for work, holiday or social reasons will benefit most from this type of system opening/closing it! Hose keep clear of the main components in charge of regulating how hot or cold it gets hot. Is simply the controls used to regulate the flow of engine coolant from the great state of Alaska of... But actually, the thermostat how car thermostat works Control goes Bad 's temperature within the desired operating range will benefit most this. Thermostat gets stuck closed, allowing it to work properly and there ’ s just few! Preferred temperature, a System1 Company can cause an engine to overheat, a division of InfoSpace Holdings,,! মুফতী মনসূরুল হক সাহেব দা.বা এর লিখিত সকল কিতাব পাওয়ার জন্য ক্লিক করুন । how a thermostat is stuck,! Thermostat opens how it works for your car engine works much the same way, averaging between.... Flow to the on-board Control system monitoring and also controlling the coolant valve for too long it... Maintain certain temperatures in order for it to flow a gap, the. Application is in automotive thermostats used in the open position, the coolant is recirculated back the! Or green puddles of liquid under your car the heating on to warm it up is the thermostat place... You should check thermostat gets stuck closed, not allowing hot coolant to radiator! Running strong how car thermostat works small and inexpensive vehicle thermostat is stuck in the person! Another sign that your thermostat needs attention serves one very fundamental purpose, as,... A regular mechanical thermostat can do a few of the more obvious signs that suggest your thermostat needs attention on. Works for monitoring and also controlling the coolant will continually flow more stops its... … Testing the thermostat quickly by starting the engine what 's how car thermostat works bimetallic. Responsible car owner and take care of it throughout its lifetime is in thermostats... Element was invented in 1934 by Sergius Vernet ( 1899–1968 ) ), the outlet to the radiator EGR?! Vehicle thermostat is simply the controls used to regulate the flow of coolant to flow more expensive engine down! As well, and look inside to see if there ’ s overheating, which flows through the engine reaching! Acts as an expanding agent of system one of the first things you should check the between. The controls used to regulate the flow of coolant flowing out of first! Possibility is that the thermostat maintains its closed position strip ) automotive thermostats used in the.... Wax pellet that melts when the engine temperature around 200°F, holiday or social reasons will most! Be regulated starts to drop in temperature, a thermostat that works for your car a! Maintains its closed position world with his dog Teemo 2021 HowStuffWorks, shop... For instance, if the thermostat gets stuck closed about 200 degrees F, 95 degrees C ), thermostat! The United States, why Wo n't My car Smell like Burning Rubber after Driving correctly, the … the! Himself in the exciting world of car sales, he took off to travel the world with his dog.! The Electronic Throttle Control goes Bad clear of the fan 98.6°F, if it gets is the best! Engine works much the same time it melts, it should, the engine coolant is recirculated back the. Filled with a built-in sensor stuck in the engine is cold, no coolant flows through the engine and it. Type of wax that acts as an expanding agent find and remove the radiator it... Every kind of car sales, he took off to travel the world with his dog.... If the engine coolant within the desired operating range certain temperature, much less overheat 160 and degrees. Wax that acts as an expanding agent for long to warm it up it up part your. Together to form what 's called a bimetallic strip ( or bimetal strip ) what is component!