Last updated on June 28th, 2023 at 05:12 pm
Is driving with thermostat stuck closed or open the right? In this article we will be considering stuck closed thermostat symptoms, if it is ok Is driving with thermostat that stuck closed or open? The thermostat in your car is responsible for maintaining your engine’s temperature, just like the thermostat in your home. This is accomplished by regulating the flow of coolant through your engine and then back through the radiator. What Happens If A Thermostat Is Stuck Closed And Open?
When your thermostat is functioning properly, it opens and closes as needed to either allow or prevent coolant flow, depending on your engine’s temperature.
Unfortunately, your thermostat can become stuck in either the open or closed position at any time. If your vehicle’s thermostat is stuck in the open position while you’re driving, you’re going to have a lot of trouble.
When your thermostat fails to close correctly when it should, the flow of coolant throughout your engine is unrestrained. While this may not appear to be a concern at first, it can be. (Symptoms of a Bad Thermostat in a Car)
Keynotes in this article:
- Symptoms of a bad Thermostat Stuck (Open/Closed)
- Is Driving with a thermostat stuck closed or open okay?
Symptoms of a bad Thermostat Stuck (Open/Closed)
There are two sorts of symptoms associated with a faulty thermostat:
The thermostat is stuck in the open position:
The engine temperature dips below normal when the thermostat is stuck open, especially on the highway in cold weather. A stuck-open thermostat can also cause a lack of heat from the heating system. It’s also possible that the Check Engine light will turn on.
Thermostat stuck closed:
The engine may overheat if the thermostat is jammed closed. Aside from these two scenarios, if the thermostat casing is leaking coolant, the thermostat may need to be replaced.
Run a few tests if you suspect a malfunctioning thermostat. First, remove the radiator cap and start the engine when the engine is cold. If the coolant starts swirling or flowing right away, the thermostat is likely stuck open.
The thermostat is likely stuck closed if the coolant doesn’t flow after 10 minutes and remains static after the temperature monitor says it’s hot. Replace the radiator cap after turning off the engine. Check for temperature discrepancies in the radiator hoses.
The thermostat is probably stuck closed if one (usually the top) is colder than the other, but the bottom is blazing up. Never remove the radiator cap from a hot engine or stick your hand towards the front of the engine while the fan and belt are moving.
Keynote
The last test entails removing the thermostat and doing a temperature check. First, warm a pot of water to the thermostat’s set temperature and submerge it with a pair of pliers. Otherwise, you’ll know it’s bad if it doesn’t open at the specified temperature.
Contaminated fluid or an outdated thermostat with weakened springs might cause thermostat failure. In addition, when incompatible coolants are mixed, the old coolant is not replaced as necessary, or particulate matter from gaskets or elsewhere breaks off, contamination occurs. Diagnosing a Bad Thermostat
In general, appropriate maintenance will keep you safe from contamination, but thermostats can also wear out with time.
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.
As a result, is it possible to drive with a stuck open thermostat?
Even if the thermostat isn’t open, a car can still run perfectly. It will run on the warm side, but not over halfway, and adequately heat the interior. However, as the outside temperature rises, the thermostat will not allow the reservoir water to flow, causing the car to overheat.
Read this: How To Fix A Stuck Thermostat That Is Closed
Also, how do you fix a thermostat that is stuck open? When Your Thermostat Fails, What Should You Do?
- Ensure that your vehicle is parked on a level surface and that the emergency brake is activated.
- Postpone your trip until the morning or a few hours after you’ve accomplished it.
- Open the hood when your car has had a chance to cool down.
- Look for the thermostat on the wall.
- Unscrew the radiator cap and remove it from the radiator.
- Have another person start the car for you.
The engine temperature dips below normal when the thermostat is stuck open while driving, especially on the highway in cold weather. A stuck-open thermostat can also cause a lack of heat from the heating system.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, having an engine that runs cold all of the time can hurt your bottom line. You’ll waste money on gas, and your vehicle’s performance will suffer as a result. There’s also the problem that if you’re traveling on a very chilly day, you won’t be getting much heat, which will be both bothersome and uncomfortable for you.
If you notice that your engine isn’t running as warm as it should, it’s a simple issue to troubleshoot and correct the problem, whether you take it to a professional or do it yourself.
There’s no reason to put off dealing with this problem any longer than necessary because you’ll only wind up spending more money on gas and having a vehicle that runs badly until you do. Save you some time and money by getting it fixed as soon as possible.
Hi dear, my name is Jeffery Ekweghi, and I am a certified mechanic and autobody parts technician. I created this site to share my expertise and experience with car lovers looking to resolve their car-related issues. I am certified in private cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. I have worked as a mechanic since 2015 and have experience in vehicle brands like Subaru, Jeep, Toyota, TATA, BMW, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Kia, TVs, and Others; however, I primarily specialize in Toyota vehicles.
