Thermostat Replacement 101: A Guide Of Faqs
The thermostat in your engine has the purpose of regulating temperatures and blocking coolant that is flowing from the radiator through the engine until the engine gets to a certain temperature point. If your car's thermostat goes bad, you will have issues with it running at the proper temperature, which can cause severe damage to the motor. Thankfully, thermostat replacements are a common job, and a lot of vehicle owners do tend to the replacement process on their own. here's a little about what you need to know about replacing a thermostat in a vehicle.
How much does it cost to replace a thermostat?
A new thermostat is not all that expensive. You are looking at a price range between $76 and $95 for the part alone, according to RepairPal. If you are going to have the thermostat professionally installed, you will likely pay somewhere between $123 and $156 for labor. Even though the thermostat can be a little harder to get to on some vehicles, replacing one is not a real labor-intense process and can usually be handled pretty quickly by your local mechanic. It may take a little longer for someone who does not have all of the necessary tools and equipment.
How do you know a thermostat is for sure bad?
You can usually diagnose a bad thermostat pretty easily. You may notice the temperature gauge on your instrument panel acting in an erratic manner. For example, the temperature may not stay at a consistent temperature. Because your heating system utilizes heat generated from the motor to provide heat, you may even see problems with getting the heater to work or getting it to provide you with warm air. In severe cases, the temperature will jump to a high degree and the gauge will show a reading in the red, which means your engine is in danger of failure without repairs.
Does the coolant need to be taken out when the thermostat is being replaced?
You'll need to remove some of the coolant from the reservoir during a thermostat replacement. You usually will not have to remove all of it; just enough that the level is below the thermostat housing so it does not spill out when you remove the part. Make sure you allow the car to sit for a while after the engine has been running before trying to drain the coolant because the pressure inside the reservoir can cause the coolant to blast out and burn you when the cap is removed if the engine is hot.
Contact a business that deals in auto parts for more information.