The primary reason your car temperature gauge goes up and down while driving is simply because
a component in your cooling system is not functioning correctly
. This could be the thermostat valve, radiator hoses, radiator fan, the temperature gauge, or the coolant itself that circulates around cools off the engine.
What are the symptoms of a bad thermostat?
- Leakage from the mounting surface. Appearance: Seepage, drips or large coolant bleed marks on or around the mounting surface or on the housing. …
- Rust and corrosion. Appearance: Rust and corrosion on the surfaces of the thermostat. …
- Deposit build-up. …
- Map-controlled thermostats.
Why is my temperature gauge fluctuating?
One common cause is a
defective thermostat
, a component that is inexpensive and easy to replace. Other causes of a fluctuating temperature gauge are a failing radiator fan, insufficient coolant level and a leaking cylinder head gasket. A failing radiator fan will be erratic.
Can you drive with a bad thermostat?
If it is
failed in a closed position then you cannot really drive it with the thermostat broken
, as the engine would overheat. This however will not generally have any impact on the ability to drive the car, at least if you let it warm up before you start driving.
Should my temperature gauge be in the middle?
Normal Temperature engine temperature gauge
Most experts agree that your engine should run
between 195 degrees and 220 degrees
. In ideal situations, your needle will maintain a posture right in the middle of your gauge.
How can you tell if your thermostat is open?
Look
through the radiator filler neck to see if the coolant flows
. At this time, it should not be flowing as your car has not reached the operating temperature to cause the thermostat to open. If you find the coolant is flowing, it means the thermostat valve is open.
How do I know if my thermostat or water pump is bad?
- Coolant leak. …
- Engine overheating. …
- A whining, sometimes a grinding, noise coming from the front of your engine. …
- Coolant warmer than normal during the hot summer months.
- Not much heat coming out of the heater during the winter, accompanied by low coolant level.
What will a bad thermostat cause?
When the engine's temperature rises very high, the thermostat opens and allows the coolant to flow to the radiator that reduces its temperature. … A bad
thermostat can stuck-open or stuck closed
. A stuck-open thermostat can prevent the engine from getting heated enough to function properly.
What happens when a thermostat goes out on a car?
Because your thermostat controls temperature of fluids from the radiator hose, a bad thermostat will cause your car
to overheat
. … If the thermostat becomes stuck in the closed position, antifreeze doesn't flow from the radiator, causing overheating.
How much does it cost to replace a thermostat in a car?
The cost of getting a thermostat replaced in a car is
about $200 to $300 on average
. Of course, this will also greatly depend on the make, model, and year of the vehicle that you're driving.
Can you unstick a car thermostat?
Start your engine and let it idle for 10-20 minutes.
From a cold start, your vehicle's
thermostat will stay closed
and you won't notice any coolant flowing into your radiator. Leave the vehicle running for about 10-20 minutes so it can reach its optimal running temperature.
What does it mean when your temperature gauge stays on cold?
On most vehicles, the temperature gauge reads cold until the engine has run for
a few minutes
. If the temperature gauge still reads cold after the engine has warmed up, the gauge may simply be broken. … With the thermostat stuck open, the engine can be overcooled, causing a low temperature reading.
Where should my car temperature gauge be?
The ideal engine temperature should be somewhere
between 195 and 220 degrees
. An engine is operating normally when the needle points at the center or near the center of the gauge. Don't worry if the needle does not exactly sit in the middle of the gauge.
How do I know if my car is overheating?
- Hot Hood. When the engine is running, you can expect the hood to emit heat and feel warm to the touch. …
- Temperature Gauge or Light. …
- Ticking Noise. …
- Coolant Leaking on the Ground. …
- Smells “Hot” …
- Steam Coming from the Hood. …
- Thumping Noises. …
- Reduced Engine Power.
How can I tell if my coolant is circulating?
One way to check for proper coolant circulation is to
check the upper and lower radiator hoses
. The upper radiator hose should be hot, around 190–200 °F. (The safest and most accurate way to get this temperature reading is with an infrared thermometer.)
What are the signs of a blown head gasket?
- White smoke coming from the tailpipe.
- BUBBLING IN THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT RESERVOIR.
- unexplained coolant loss with no leaks.
- Milky white coloration in the oil.
- Engine overheating.
