Took my 01 Intrepid in due mild over-heating. Several hundred bucks and one week later, the fix was to remove the thermostat. Keeping it increased the temperature drastically but removing it has made it operate cooler, or within a normal range. Is this a factory reset issue? The radiator has been serviced, new timing belt and the car has not over-heated even in bumper to bumper temps...?
2007-10-23 15:44:41 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Thermostats are in cooling systems to bring them up to operating temp. quicker for better engine operations and better gas mileage.
By taking the Thermostat at they didn't fix anything, they just prolonged the time till you have a bigger problem and have to pay they More $$$$ to fix what they should have fixed the first time!
1; Did they Boil/Flush out the Radiator/Engine Cooling System? Radiator may be Clogged, Engine Water Jackets may be Clogged!
2; Checked all Hoses for cracks or Overly Soft when Warm "Coming Apart inside and Restricting Coolant Flow"!
3; With the Engine Cool or Cold Remove the Radiator Cap, Rust Underside of Cap "Replace It!" Reddish Foam Underside of Cap "Cracked Transmission Cooler Lines in Radiator" (New Radiator).
4; With the Cap still off Start the Engine, after 2 or 3 Minutes do you Smell Exhaust in the Radiator? "Head Gasket!" (Replace).
5; Is the Water Pump Good? No Signs of leaks?
6; Is Coolant Mix 50-50, Clean Water & Anti-Freeze?
NOTE; Thermostat should be 180 Degrees.
$600 to Remove the Thermostat! What Did They Do? other then taking your money!
2007-10-23 22:33:52 · answer #1 · answered by sidecar0 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The purpose of the thermostat is to regulate the amount of coolant that is sent to the radiator for cooling. When the engine is cold, the thermostat is closed and the coolant is recirculated within the engine until it warms up. As the coolant warms up, the thermostat opens and directs the coolant out one radiator hose through the radiator, and back to the engine through the other radiator hose. The radiator removes the heat from the coolant so the engine is kept from overheating.
If the thermostat fails to open due to a defect, the coolant will not be sent through the radiator and the engine will overheat. The fix is to replace the thermostat once it is determined that it is defective by testing it in a pan of heated water. Other than a defective thermostat, a clogged cooling system component or a collapsing radiator hose can cause overheating. So can a defective fan.
Now, contrary to what others have said, the fix is not to just remove the thermostat. An engine needs to run at its correct operating temperature, usually 190 degrees, to run efficiently. If it runs cooler than that, it will use more gas and, worse, the water vapor byproduct of combustion will contaminate the oil and sludge will build up. The sludge can clog the input of the oil pump and/or the oil passages within the engine and lead to engine failure. Also, the engine must reach its correct operating temperature for the engine computer to run in its normal mode, so engine operations will suffer.
In my opinion, any mechanic that removes a thermostat does not understand the basics of engine cooling and should not be trusted to touch the car. You really need to bring your car to a mechanic that specializes in automobile cooling and have him check things over and, by all means, put in a new thermostat.
2007-10-23 16:23:43 · answer #2 · answered by AldoAnswers 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Thermostat For Car
2016-10-05 10:39:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thermostat is designed to regulate the temperature of the engine. When the thermostat is closed it is allowing coolant to cool off in the radiator. After the engine reaches a certain temperature like 190 degrees it would then open up and allow the cooled coolant to enter the engine and the hot coolant to enter the radiator. Without the thermostat the car will run cooler sometimes or at a constant temperature. You can run a car without it but you might encounter more problems later.
2007-10-23 15:58:04 · answer #4 · answered by gregoryb96 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The thermostat's job is to keep the engine running at peak performance and efficiency and in the winter it makes sure that the antifreeze reaches a high enough temperature to not only defrost your winshield but give it a fighting chance to keep freezing rain from freezing on your windshield on contact and if you have ever had that happen I'm sure you don't want to have it happen again. In the summer months it can also keep your car from over heating by allowing the coolant/ antifreeze that is undisturbed (in waiting) in the radiator time to cool before more hot coolant comes flowing in needing to be cooled. Without a thermostat there is no complete harmony within your engine and yes your car will still go down the road but WINTER could get a little scary an SUMMER could spell disaster for your engine if it overheats. one thing to take into account is that in todays world we would do away with thermostats if they were not necessary ( why use it if you don't need it motto)
2007-10-23 16:06:07 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The thermostat is a valve that is in one of your radiator hoses. When it heats up, it opens and allows the coolant from your radiator to circulate through the engine. Sometimes on older vehicles the thermostat can wear out or start to stick. If you remove the thermostat the coolant will just start to circulate as soon as you start the car. The only drawback is that the car will take longer to come up to optimal operating temperature, but considering you are driving an intrepid and not a performance car, im sure its not an issue for you. The fact that it cost several hundred bucks to have the thermostat removed kinda sucks. All you have to do is take out a couple of screws and it pops right out. You got hosed!
2007-10-23 15:51:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The thermostat just allows coolant to flow into the engine block for cooling. It closes to allow the engine to get warm before coolant begins to do its work. As the engine heats up it opens to allows coolant to pass. Running without one may allow the engine to run too cold especially on highway driving. This often happens to cars with thermostats that are stuck open. This isnt terrible but a cold engine is inefficient.
It seems ridiculous that a professional mechanic would just remove the thermostat. Removing it doesnt fix the problem it just bypasses it.
2007-10-23 15:55:13 · answer #7 · answered by djpia87 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thermostat is designed to restrict the flow of coolant until the engine warms up. then it should open and let the coolant flow though the radiator so the engine does not overheat. Yours obviously did not want to open and had to be replaced. Some are awkwardly placed and difficult to work on, but I would think that the Intrepid would be fairly straight forward (pun intended) because of the orienation on the engine. Shouldn't cost so much, and why did they not replace it with a good one?? Now your car will take longer to warm up and the interior heater will not be so warm. This could be a problem in the north.
2007-10-23 16:01:19 · answer #8 · answered by jimanddottaylor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a thermostat regulates the flow of water through the engine and radiator. if the flow is slowed, it stops the coolant reaching the radiator and being cooled. but the inverse is true. it allows all parts of the cooling passagers to get water near them long enough to remove the heat, and when they are cold, get warm water from other parts of the cooling system to warm them up (shortening the time take to warm the engine up)
if all the shop did was to take the thermostat out and charged you $100 then you have been ripped off. there has to be a real reason for the overheating. find it and replace the thermostat
2007-10-23 15:53:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pls, I want to know if the thermostat sizes all cars? I mean if they can fit into any car not minding the make of the car?
2014-07-07 06:12:03 · answer #10 · answered by Funke 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋