A car thermostat in New Orleans that is in top shape will provide peace of mind for the vehicle’s owner. It is an essential part of any car’s cooling system. It provides information that will help determine if the cooling system of a car is working well or is encountering problems that need to be given attention.
The most important function of a car’s thermostat is how it is able to control how much coolant is cooled depending on the temperature of the engine of a car. This important role of a car’s thermostat significantly influences how a vehicle runs properly.
A fully-functioning car thermostat responds to the temperature changes in the coolant of an engine. When the temperature of the coolant is cold, the thermostat stays closed. When the temperature rises to a certain degree, the thermostat opens so that the temperature will be regulated by allowing the coolant to flow to the radiator.
What is a Car Thermostat?
The thermostat is a valve located between the engine and the radiator. It plays a major role in maintaining the optimum temperature of a car’s engine. It is the main component of the cooling system of an engine. Its primary function is to regulate the flow of the coolant from the engine into the radiator.
How Does a Thermostat Work in Cars?
A thermostat is made with a unique type of wax that acts as an expanding agent which helps it to react to temperature changes in the engine of a car. When a certain temperature is reached, the thermostat responds by expanding.
When the agent that makes up the thermostat expands, the valve opens. To get a clearer view of how this process happens in cars, these are the steps involved in the process:
- The coolant flows through the engine.
- The coolant picks up excess heat
- When the coolant leaves the engine, it goes to the radiator
- Excess heat is removed from the radiator.
- The coolant makes a few stops along its way through the cooling system
- The coolant ends back up in the engine.
The thermostat stays closed when it is not heated enough. It remains circulating inside the block. When it is heated, it opens but when the heat subsides the agent shrinks back to its original form and to its usual position.
Can a Car Run Without a Thermostat?
Yes. A car can run without a thermostat, however, there are consequences. It is generally not a good idea to drive a car without a functioning thermostat because the performance of the car is affected when it does not have a thermostat attached to it.
You should know the difference between running a car with no thermostat and running a car with a bad thermostat. Without a thermostat, your heater will blow cold air. Likewise, without a thermostat, your car engine will never reach its optimal operating temperature.
When you run a car without a thermostat, the temperature in your engine will be 50 degrees centigrade and your car will experience the following at this temperature:
- Moisture or humidity will form in the car
- When moisture condenses, it mixes with oil and turns into slush (watery ice)
- The slush block lubrication
Another consequence of running a car without a thermostat is overheating. This happens because the coolant passes through the engine quickly and will not absorb heat. On the other hand, it can also cause the engine of your car to be over-conditioned.
When the coolant temperature sensor (CTS) of your car senses that the engine is not at normal operating temperature, your car’s fuel consumption will increase.
Even though you can run a car without a thermostat, you should know the consequences and avoid more damage that it can do to your car having no thermostat. Remember that a thermostat’s major role is to keep the optimum temperature for your engine to work well with the optimum temperature range.
How Do You Know If Your Thermostat is Bad in Your Car?
The most obvious sign that your thermostat is not working well is overheating. You will notice that the temperature gauge will frequently fluctuate and eventually be higher than normal.
When you notice fluctuations in your temperature gauge, it can be a sign that your thermostat is being damaged because of overheating.
Otherwise, when your thermostat remains open, the temperature gauge will still fluctuate because the thermostat is not able to function well in regulating the temperature of your engine.
Maintaining a functional car thermostat in New Orleans will assure that your engine is operating at optimum temperature. When you notice signs that your thermostat is in bad shape, you will need to take your vehicle to the nearest service center in New Orleans.