Unfortunately, thermostats play an essential role in your car. So fixing a car thermostat will usually cost somewhere in the range of $200 to $300. But you’ll need to speak with your mechanic to get a more exact estimate. More than labor costs, the price will depend on your car.
What are the symptoms of a bad thermostat?
Thermostat failure symptoms that you should know
- High temperature readings. The main symptoms of a failing thermostat are related to engine overheating.
- Erratic changes in temperature.
- Leaking coolant.
- Increased fuel consumption.
- Unusual noises.
Can you still drive a car with a bad thermostat?
Can I Still Drive with a Bad Thermostat? The easy answer to this question is no. While your car may be physically able to move and get you from Point A to Point B, you will want to refrain from operating your vehicle. This can lead to more parts of your vehicle being damaged, especially if the engine is overheating.
How long does it take to replace a car thermostat?
How long does a car thermostat replacement take? An average thermostat replacement takes around 1 hour, with some taking as little as 30 minutes. More problematic replacements can take a little longer where there are issues accessing an awkwardly positioned part or if it’s become seriously stuck in place.
How much should it cost to replace a car thermostat? – Related Questions
How does a car act when the thermostat is bad?
A faulty thermostat will result in strange temperature changes during engine operation. In this case, the thermostat will not get stuck in one position, but there will still be false readings causing control issues. The engine temperature will change unpredictably and the radiator coolant will not flow normally.
Can I replace my car thermostat myself?
Replacing a Car Thermostat: Step-by-Step Instructions. Replacing a car’s thermostat (or T-stat) is an easy and inexpensive repair. In most cases it will cure an overheating or no-heat problem, sparing the time and expense needed for expert diagnostics.
How long does it take to install a thermostat?
As long as the existing wiring is in good condition and has all the necessary wires, it typically takes less than an hour to install a thermostat. If wiring is required it can take a professional up to 2 hours to complete the repair and may take a DIYer longer, depending on their experience with wiring.
How often should thermostat be replaced?
As with all other systems, your thermostat will eventually become old and outdated. The lifespan of most home thermostats is 10 years. However, you may need to replace yours sooner as newer, more efficient thermostats enter the market.
Do you need to add coolant when replacing thermostat?
After replacing a thermostat, the technician should ensure all air pockets are removed from the cooling system. Otherwise, the vehicle will be more likely to overheat. After replacing the thermostat, refill antifreeze.
Should you replace thermostat when replacing coolant?
The thermostat can, and should, be replaced when performing other cooling system service work, such as replacing the water pump or radiator hoses, or flushing the coolant.
How do I know if my car needs a new thermostat?
Symptoms of a Failing Car Thermostat
- The temperature gauge reads high and the engine overheats.
- The temperature changes erratically.
- The vehicle’s coolant leaks around the thermostat or under the vehicle.
What causes thermostat to fail?
It could be a control board issue, a broken relay, or a wiring defect in the thermostat that prevents electrical signals from being sent to your cooling or heating system. When the thermostat cannot correctly send commands to the HVAC system telling it to turn on or off, it’s going bad.
Is it hard to change a thermostat?
Replacing a thermostat is usually not very difficult, and only requires a few common tools. Power to the thermometer needs to be turned off before work begins. When purchasing a replacement thermostat, a homeowners should be sure to confirm that the new one is compatible with the home’s heating and cooling system.
Does a car thermostat affect AC?
The thermostat should not affect the A/C compressor blowing cool air. The thermostat regulates the flow of the coolant in your car’s engine and controls when the coolant flows in and out of the motor from the radiator by opening and closing at specific temperatures.
Do I need to shut off power to change thermostat?
Virtually all room thermostats operate on low voltage that carries little risk of harmful electric shock. However, it is always wise to shut off power to a thermostat at the service panel before examining or working on it.
Where is a car thermostat located?
Most cars have a top-mounted thermostat located close to the water pump on the cylinder head. The top radiator hose feeds coolant through the thermostat into the engine. If you can’t locate the thermostat, simply follow the hose until you see the housing containing the thermostat where the hose joins the engine.
How do I test my car thermostat?
Use a cooking thermometer or a hydrometer to obtain a temperature reading from the engine block (also known as the cylinder block) and the upper radiator hose. The end of this hose will be attached to the thermostat housing. Wait for approximately 10 minutes and perform another reading on both parts.
How many thermostats does a car have?
Most cars have two thermostats, but the number can vary depending on the car. Typically, with two thermostats, one is connected to your car’s AC system and one to the engine cooling system. The thermostats help circulate coolant either through your car’s engine or AC system, along with other intricate parts.
Why is my car blowing cold air when the heater is on?
Low Coolant Level
The coolant (usually a mixture of water and antifreeze) in your engine doesn’t just work to keep the engine from overheating: It’s also the source of heat supporting the heating system. If there isn’t enough coolant in your system, the heater core will blow cold air into your car.
How much does it cost to fix a car heater that blows cold air?
The total cost of parts and labor will range between $800 and $1,000 to have your heater core fixed by a professional. Labor costs vary, so call ahead and get a quote from multiple repair shops. If you fix the heater yourself, you’ll only have to pay for the cost of a new heater core which runs between $100 and $300.