Recommended Websites

How Does A Car's Thermostat Work?

Severe engine overheating happens when components of the cooling system fail. One important part of the cooling system is the thermostat. You might probably heard of this device before, but do you know exactly what a thermostat does for your car? Any idea how this gadget helps maintain the right temperature of the engine?

A car's thermostat is usually a 5 cm in diameter device that that you can adjust when it's hot. It is basically a thermometer or similar to ordinary thermostats that you use in your house. All liquid-cooled car engines have this kind of device installed between the engine and the radiator.

The main job of a car thermostat is to block the flow of coolant to the radiator until the engine has warmed up. It lets the engine warm up as swiftly as possible and opens once the engine reaches its operating temperature. When the car thermostat is open, the coolant passes through the cylinder head. A water pump that is driven from the engine will pass the coolant around the system, keeping the engine not to overheat. The usual reason why the engine overheats is that the thermostat is not working properly.

A car's thermostat also has a boiling point. When it's too hot, it evaporates. This happens because the cylinder is filled with a wax that starts to melt and expand when it gets hot. There's also a rod that is pressed into the wax. When it melts, it pushes the rod out of the cylinder that subsequently opens a valve. Thermostat opens at different temperatures. Sometimes, it opens when the weather is too hot, especialy during summer. Since there's no need that much coolant in a cold weather, the thermostat lets the engine warm up. To avoid engine overheating, it is important to check the car's thermostat on a regular basis.

Automotive Sites:
Mazda Lift Kits
Mobile Electronics
Mud Tires
Mud Tires
Mufflers
Nerf Bars
Nissan Lift Kits
Off Road Products
Offroad Products
Offroad Tires
Performance Chips
Power Steps
Roof Racks
Shock Absorbers
Shocks
SkyJacker Lifts
ATV Snow Plows
Super Swamper Tires
Suspension Lift Kits
Tonneau Covers
Tonneau Direct
Toyota Lift Kits
Truck Accessory Direct
Truck Bed Covers
Truck Lifts
Truck Parts
Truck Racks
Truck Suspension Lift
Warn Products
Warn Winch