When you drive a vehicle, it is important to know some of its basic parts, such as the thermostat and how it works.

The engine temperature is controlled by means of cooling liquid and a thermostat. It is one of the key components for the optimum operating temperature for an engine. The thermostat of an engine is a simple mechanism, but very practical as well as useful and necessary. This part of the vehicle fulfills the function of regulating the temperature of the engine and, through its radiator, controls the overheating of the engine, that is, it is used to cool and warm the car engine.

It is a valve with a spring that is responsible for regulating the amount of coolant that passes from the engine block to the cooling radiator of the same, to ensure that the engine works properly.

This has two positions, closed and open. When closed, the flow of coolant is prevented, causing the engine to rise in temperature.

On the contrary, when it is open, the coolant can flow to the radiator, where the heat is dissipated and the coolant itself cools. This component can be seen as a gate that allows or prevents the flow of coolant from the engine to the radiator.

During normal use, the thermostat is never in the fully closed or fully open position, as it depends on the condition of the engine and gradually nears either state to control coolant flow. In turn, the water pump pushes lower-temperature coolant from the radiator into the engine.

 

Read more: Discover our new thermostats attached to water pumps

 

Types of automotive thermostat

 

There are different types of automotive thermostat that can be found on the market:

Conventional thermostats have been further developed. The traditional thermostats do not contain any type of electronic system and they work thanks to the expansion of an encapsulated wax. As the temperature increases, the wax expands and thus the gate that opens the duct moves. On the contrary, if it cools, the wax contracts again closing the hatch.

Housed thermostats are integral thermostats complete with optimally designed housing. And another option are map-controlled thermostas: a safe choice for greater efficiency. An electrically assisted (also called map-controlled) thermostat provides broader and faster operation than traditional thermostats. These are regulated via the engine management system.

 

 

How to check if a car thermostat is malfunctioning

 

A faulty or blocked thermostat can lead to engine overheating. This can result in considerable engine damage. Some of the problems and symptoms of a failing car thermostat and the damaged it can cause are:

• Engine overheating or engine too cold. If the thermostat is not working, the gauge will end up outside the range it should be. So, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your dashboard’s temperature gauge.
• Engine temperature changes. Erratic temperature fluctuations can also be an indicator of its malfunction and poor engine performance.
• Coolant leaks around the thermostat housing or under the vehicle indicates may also be leaking coolant which can be caused by the thermostat not allowing coolant to flow when it is stuck in the closed position. 

If you’re unsure how to check if thermostat is working, you can monitor your engine’s temperature or observe coolant flow and behavior. A simple test can reveal if the thermostat is malfunctioning.

 

Article of interest: 5 thermostat failure symptoms and how to avoid them

 

Good maintenance in the cooling system of our vehicle, using good quality antifreeze, not mixing or pouring water into the circuit, will increase the durability of our engine and reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. So, the importance of the thermostat cannot be underestimated.

DOLZ thermostats have all you deserve to keep engine temperatures within original equipment (OE) specifications and ensure the normal car water temperature. For further information about our new range of thermostats, contact us.

 

The thermostat measures and helps regulate the temperature inside the car’s engine and if need be, it triggers the ECU to illuminate the overheating sign in the dash. Moreover, it signals the radiator to absorb and disseminate heat from the engine, bringing it to its optimum operating temperature. The thermostat is a small component but it is a vital one and it is certainly required for the smooth functioning of your vehicle. 

It consists of a valve spring that regulates the amount of coolant that passes through the engine. When the block is overheating, the valve opens and more coolant is allowed to pass through, whereas when the engine is cold, the valve shuts tight, barring any liquid from passing through. In other words, the thermostat acts like a get keeper who must be vigilant at all times. 

It is the engine’s temperature that signals it to work. In reality, the valve is never fully open or closed, since it takes a bit of both opening and closing to regulate the temperature. The thermostat ensures that the engine stays within the maximum temperature of the car engine to avoid overheating, which could cause serious damage.

If you suspect issues with your thermostat, it’s essential to test its functionality before considering a replacement. A malfunctioning thermostat can lead to serious problems, so knowing how to check if the thermostat is working can save you time and prevent unnecessary repairs.

 

Symptoms of a bad thermostat 

 

By now you must have a small idea of the thermostat’s importance. If it fails or malfunctions, you are bound to face serious issues. It helps to know about the symptoms of a bad thermostat so you can fix the old one or buy a new one. Let’s take a look at some of the tell-tale signs of a failing thermostat. 

 

Keep reading: 5 thermostat failure symptoms and how to avoid them

 

Engine Very Hot or Cold 

We already know that the thermostat controls the engine temperature. So, the first thing that could put doubt in your mind is the engine’s temperature rating. If it’s too hot or too cold, chances are that the thermostat is not doing its job properly and it needs to be replaced. There could also be a problem with the radiator, or the coolant might have run out, so you need to check all the possibilities before you contemplate changing the thermostat. 

 

Erratic Temperature Change 

The thermostat must ensure the engine remains at its operating temperature. It can do that by allowing more or less of the coolant from going inside the block. If the thermostat malfunctions, it will not be able to regulate the temperature levels as well as it used to and that will result in erratic temperature changes. 

 

Leaking Coolant 

The only thing stopping the coolant from reaching the engine is the thermostat. If the thermostat valve spring is completely shut, the coolant won’t be able to pass. When this happens, the coolant will start to leak from several places. If you can spot a leak inside the engine bay or a patch of liquid beneath your car then the thermostat may have gone bad. If this happens, you will need a car thermostat replacement.

 

Keep reading: Industrias Dolz launches its new range of thermostats

 

Car thermostat replacement: how to do it? 

 

Your car’s thermostat has malfunctioned and you need to replace it with a new one. How do you do it? It is not that difficult and if you follow the instructions provided below you will be able to make the car thermostat replacement with good results.

 

1. Locate the Thermostat

You want to replace the part but first, you need to identify where it is located. Fortunately, the thermostat is not hidden beneath several casings. It is near the point where the hose meets the radiator. Usually, it is on the top of the radiator housing, making it easy to find. However, if it is at the bottom you don’t have to worry, the principle is the same. 

 

2. Place A Container Below the Working Area 

When you are working some coolant will leak and you don’t want it to go to waste, so make sure you have something in place to catch any falling liquid. Once you are done with the replacement, you can put the coolant back where it belongs. 

 

3. Remove the Hose and Clamp 

The thermostat is hidden under the hose, which is fastened together with a clamp. You have to loosen the clamp for the hose to fall free. Make sure you don’t lose any screws or clamps in the process. Then you must remove the hose to expose the thermostat. You will possibly lose some coolant during this process, so make sure you have that bucket in place. 

 

4. Remove the Nuts and screws 

The thermostat is tightened with the help of a few bolts. You must undo all of them to free the thermostat from its shackles. Now, you must compare the old thermostat with the new one you bought. Make sure the replacement thermostat and gasket are compatible with your vehicle. DOLZ produces and distributes water pumps, distribution kits and thermostats for automobiles and industrial vehicles and we have more than 1.300 models that are compatible with most vehicles on the market.

 

5. Don’t Forget the Gasket 

Remove the old gasket and replace it with the new one. Don’t forget this process and make sure you do it cleanly. The old gasket might have left off a few pieces, so clean that as well before you install the new one. 

 

6. Place the new Thermostat 

Now you can place the new thermostat and tighten it with the screws and nuts you removed before. Keep in mind, you put everything where it belonged. One mistake, and you might have to repeat the whole process. 

 

7. Put back the Hose and clamp 

The hose goes back on the radiator’s opening and then the clamp that holds it in position. The hose has to be tightened in place or else the coolant will start to look.

 

8. Replace the Coolant

For the final piece in the puzzle, replace the leaked coolant that you collected in the bucket back into the radiator. 

And that’s it! You are done! 

 

Learn more: The importance of an automotive thermostat in a car’s cooling system

 

Tips for a car thermostat replacement

 

In addition to following the previous instructions, it is convenient to take into account the following recommendations:

• Buy the thermostat from a reputable brand like Dolz, otherwise you will be facing the overheating issue repeatedly. 
• Make sure you are performing the procedure in daylight so you don’t miss or lose any nuts or screws.
• You can drain all the old coolant with a fresh supply, but that is optional and depends on your preference.
• Keep all the relevant tools in hand before you begin the procedure. You don’t want to end up stuck in the middle. 

 

New Dolz Thermostat, the best solution for your car 

The new range of thermostats by Dolz are the perfect thermostats for any vehicle. We just launched 6 new thermostat references and also the Kit thermostat with the water pump. The thermostats that Dolz launches on the market are thermostats with their plastic housing that mount directly on the water pump.

Dolz factories are designed to produce high-quality products only, and the thermostats are not an exception. Therefore, you can rest assured that what you get from Dolz is premium quality and nothing else. 

The engine in your car works best at a high temperature. When the engine is cold, components wear out easily, emits more pollutants, and the engine becomes less efficient. Thus, another important task of the cooling system is to allow the engine to warm up as quickly as possible, and then to maintain a constant engine temperature. The main function of a cooling system is to ensure that the engine runs at its optimum operating temperature. If the cooling system or any part of it fails, it will overheat the engine, which can lead to many serious issues.

Have you ever imagined what would happen if your engine cooling system did not work properly? Overheating can cause cylinder head gaskets to explode and even crack engine blocks if the problem is serious enough. And all this heat must be fought. If the heat cannot be removed from the engine, the pistons are literally welded to the inside of the cylinders. Then you just must throw the engine away and buy a new one. So, you should take care of your engine cooling system and learn how it works.

 

Components of a cooling system

 

Radiator

 

The radiator acts as a heat exchanger for the engine. It is usually made of aluminum and has many small diameter pipes with fins attached to them. Furthermore, it exchanges the heat of the hot water coming from the engine with the ambient air. It also has a drainage plug, an inlet port, a sealed cover, and an outlet port.

 

Water pump

 

When the coolant cools after being in the radiator, the water pump sends the fluid back to the cylinder block, heater core, and cylinder head. Eventually, the liquid enters the radiator again, where it cools down again.

Read more about water pumps here.

 

Thermostat

 

It is a thermostat that acts as a valve for the coolant and only allows it to pass through the radiator when a certain temperature has been exceeded. The thermostat contains paraffin wax, which expands at a certain temperature and opens at that temperature. The cooling system uses a thermostat to regulate the normal operating temperature of the internal combustion engine. When the engine reaches standard operating temperature, the thermostat is triggered. Then the coolant can enter the radiator.

Read more about thermostats here.

 

Other components

 

Freeze Plugs: This is actually a steel plug designed to seal openings in the cylinder block and cylinder heads created during the casting process. In frosty weather, they can pop out if there is no frost protection.

Timing head/cover gasket: Seals major engine parts. Prevents mixing of oil, antifreeze, and cylinder pressure.

Radiator overflow tank: This is a plastic tank that is usually installed next to the radiator and has an inlet connected to the radiator and one overflow hole. This is the same tank that you pour water into before driving.

Hoses: A series of rubber hoses connect the radiator to the engine through which the coolant flows. These hoses can also start leaking after years of use.

 

 

Read more: The importance of an automotive thermostat in a car’s cooling system

 

 

How does the cooling system work in a car?

 

To explain how a cooling system works, you must first explain what it does. It’s very simple – the car’s cooling system cools the engine. But cooling this engine can seem like a gigantic task, especially when you consider how much heat a car engine generates. Think about it. The engine of a small car traveling on a highway at 50 miles per hour will generate approximately 4,000 explosions per minute.

Along with all the friction from moving parts, this is a lot of heat that needs to be concentrated in one place. Without an efficient cooling system, the engine will heat up and stop running within minutes. A modern cooling system should ensure the coolness of the car at an ambient temperature of 115 degrees, as well as warmth in the winter weather.

 

What Happens Inside? 

 

The cooling system works by constantly passing coolant through channels in the engine block. Coolant, driven by a water pump, is pushed through the cylinder block. As the solution passes through these channels, it absorbs heat from the engine.

Leaving the engine, this heated fluid enters the radiator, where it is cooled by the air flow entering through the car’s radiator grill. The fluid will cool as it passes through the radiator, returning to the engine again to pick up more engine heat and carry it away.

There is a thermostat between the radiator and engine. Depending on the temperature, the thermostat regulates what happens to the liquid. If the fluid temperature drops below a certain level, the solution bypasses the radiator and is instead directed back to the engine block. The coolant will continue to circulate until it reaches a certain temperature and opens the valve on the thermostat, allowing it to pass through the radiator again for cooling.

It seems that due to the very high engine temperature, the coolant can easily reach its boiling point. However, the system is under pressure to prevent this from happening. When the system is under pressure, it is much more difficult for the coolant to reach its boiling point. Occasionally, however, pressure builds up and must be relieved before it can deflate the hose or gasket. The radiator cap relieves excess pressure and fluid by accumulating in the reserve tank. After the liquid in the storage tank has cooled to an acceptable temperature, it is returned to the cooling system for re-circulation.

 

 

Keep reading: How to detect cooling circuit problems

 

 

Dolz, quality thermostats and water pumps for a good cooling system

 

Dolz is a european company that adheres to a set of standards in terms of innovation, efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in its worldwide sourcing solutions that help their partners and customers move water pumps where needed. With more than 80 years of history, Industrias Dolz is a worldwide leader in manufacturing water pumps with a wide range of products adding distribution kits and thermostats for the spare parts industry. If you are interested in our products, contact us and we will inform you.