How To Fix A Stuck Thermostat That Is Closed (Thermostat Stuck Closed Quick Fix)

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Last updated on July 13th, 2023 at 04:42 pm

Thermostat stuck closed quick fix: Replacing a thermostat is one of the easiest chores to accomplish on your car.

Even if you’re a complete novice with only rudimentary car mechanic knowledge, you should be able to pull it off without difficulty.  

So if you are wondering how to fix a stuck thermostat that is closed or open then this post is for you where we discuss how long can you drive with thermostat stuck open; how much for thermostat replacement in car and a thermostat stuck closed quick fix easy steps guide. Diagnosing a Bad Thermostat and Symptoms in a Car

How Long Can You Drive with Thermostat Stuck Open?

The thermostat’s purpose is to keep the engine at a safe operating temperature. Modern cooling systems are built to remove more heat from the engine than it can generate. This is accomplished by pumping water through the engine and radiator. 

The engine generates heat, which is then transferred to the atmosphere by air passing through the radiator.

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In a well-functioning system, the thermostat is constantly opening and closing. So either the car moves through the air, or the fans are sucking in enough air to keep the engine cool. Suppose a component of the cooling system fails. In that case, the car will overheat, and the thermostat will remain open because the coolant temperature will not fall below the setting set by the thermostat. That’s roughly 190 degrees Fahrenheit.

read this: How To Fix A Stuck Thermostat That Is Closed

When the thermostat is removed or is jammed open. Modern thermostats, by the way, are intended to do this when they fail. It will take a long time for the engine to achieve operating temperature. If the ambient temperature is extremely frigid, it may never achieve operating temperature. 

When the thermostat opened, there would be 1 minute of heat, followed by 2–3 minutes of no heat when it closed.

Some people believe that an engine will overheat if it doesn’t have a thermostat or has one stuck open because the coolant is running too fast to absorb or exchange heat from the engine. This is entirely incorrect and goes against the laws of physics and thermodynamics. Furthermore, there would be no such thing.

How Much for Thermostat Replacement in Car Cost?

The good news for individuals who have a broken thermostat is that it is rather inexpensive to replace it. The exact cost will, of course, be determined by the type and model of your vehicle. 

For the ordinary auto owner, however, a skilled mechanic may anticipate charging between $140 and $300 to repair the thermostat in their vehicle. The actual thermostat unit costs between $20 and $80, but it can cost more in high-end or sports cars. The labor cost will be between $120 and $220. (Possibly more if going to a dealership).

Keep in mind that most mechanics charge between $80 and $110 per hour for their work. A mechanic should be able to accomplish the thermostat replacement job in 1 to 2 hours. As a result, you end up paying more for labor than you do for the thermostat itself.

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Many car owners attempt to save money by replacing the thermostat on their own. However, if you don’t have much expertise working on automobiles, or if your vehicle’s thermostat is in a convenient location and you have a decent repair manual to guide you, to replace it, you should employ an expert.

After all, there’s always the possibility that your vehicle has another issue. You’ll want to hire an expert to diagnose the issue before replacing the thermostat.

You couldn’t replace the thermostat yourself if you wanted to save money on labor, which, as we’ve seen, may be rather significant for a work like this. But, on the other hand, it’s not a particularly difficult repair task. The most difficult element of this task is determining whether you have the correct size thermostat replacement and locating the thermostat in your engine in the first place. 

There is no standard arrangement from one vehicle model to the next, so if you don’t see it straight away, you may need to consult an engine diagram or your owner’s handbook to find out what you need.

Thermostat Replacement essentials

The most important thing is to ensure that you have the correct thermostat for your vehicle. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of different thermostats out there, as we’ve seen on AutoZone, and if you pick the wrong one, it won’t fit. Fortunately, AutoZone allows you to search by make, model, and year, ensuring that you receive the proper vehicle.

As you can see, replacing the thermostat in your vehicle on your own is a rather straightforward task. That means you’ll save a lot of time by not having to take it to the mechanic to get it fixed, as well as potentially a lot of money, depending on how much you do. 

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It’s probably a smart idea to attempt it yourself if you’re only spending approximately $20 for your vehicle’s thermostat. On the other hand, you’re looking at about 20 minutes of labor to remove the old one and replace it once you’ve figured out what you’re doing, so that’s not a bad deal.

Even though your thermostat is a relatively simple piece of technology, it is critical to the general operation of your vehicle. In the long term, an engine with a malfunctioning thermostat might cause serious damage. 

The majority of our attention is concentrated on a thermostat that cannot control heat adequately, resulting in engine damage due to overheating. As a result, a cool engine is frequently disregarded, and it is sometimes assumed that it is not an issue at all.

How to Fix a Stuck Thermostat That is closed thermostat stuck closed quick fix

 

A broken closed thermostat is a major issue. One of the components of your car’s cooling system is the thermostat. The thermostat controls how much coolant is circulated throughout the engine.  

When a closed thermostat becomes “stuck,” it is either over-cooling or under-cooling the engine. An inconsistent temperature gauge, in which the engine’s thermal temperature rises and falls, is one indicator of this. 

Another symptom of this issue is the appearance of a “check engine light” on occasion. However, there are a few things you can do to solve the problem without going to a professional.

• Step 1: Park your vehicle on a level surface with the emergency brake engaged.
• 2nd Step: Wait until the morning or a few hours after you’ve completed your journey. Unless the automobile overheats while moving, you should never operate on a hot engine.
• Step 3: After your automobile has had time to cool down, open the hood. Check your fluid levels to ensure that the source of the overheating is not your fluid tank.
• 4th Step: Locate the thermostat. The location of the thermostat is determined by the make and model of your vehicle. Although it is normally located near the coolant fluid tank and the car engine, you should check your owner’s manual for particular directions.
• Remove the radiator cap in step 5. This should be done only after the automobile has cooled down from driving. If you open it right after starting your automobile, a pressured burst of coolant may occur.
• 6th Step: Allow somebody person to start the automobile for you. Check if fluid is being distributed to the engine at a distance from the open radiator cap. Have the individual who started the car also inform you of the temperature of the engine.
• 7th Step: When the engine is turned off, feel the two thermostat hoses link the fluid tank to the engine. Check the hoses at the top and bottom. The radiator hose on the bottom should be hotter than the one on the top. There could be a blockage issue if the top one gets too hot.
• Step 8: Allow the car to cool completely before disconnecting the engine hoses. Check for any physical obstructions in the hoses, and ensure that the hose’s valves, which open and close when fluid is required in the engine, can travel up and down. They are the main issue if they are unable to move up and down.
• Step 9: Replace the thermostat hose valves. Only do this if the valves are the primary cause of the stuck thermostat. You can either replace the valves with new ones or reposition the valves so that they can move up and down freely again.

Replacing a thermostat is one of the easiest chores to accomplish on your car. Even if you’re a complete novice with only rudimentary car mechanic knowledge, you should be able to pull it off without difficulty. 

If you’re unsure how to continue or if this is your first time replacing a thermostat, I strongly advise you to consult your vehicle’s repair manual first. You’ll find everything you need in this type of instructions to ensure that you replace your closed thermostat stuck the first time correctly and that you don’t break anything in the process. 

Not only will you be able to follow the manufacturer’s recommended technique to replace the damaged components, but you’ll also be able to test it and make sure it’s the root of the problem with the help of a repair manual.

Is driving with a thermostat Stuck Closed or Open Okay?

Most auto mechanics will tell you that driving your car without a thermostat installed is not a smart idea. However, if your thermostat becomes locked in a closed position, your engine will overheat, and you will be unable to drive your car. Is It Okay To Drive With An Open Or Close Thermostat Stuck?

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