What Happens If You Install Thermostat Backwards?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you installed the backwards,

it would probably not open up enough to allow coolant to flow

, and the temp gauge would shoot up into the far right range, the engine would overheat, etc.

Which end of a thermostat goes into the block?

The shorter end of the thermostat always points away from the engine.

The deep end of the thermostat is always put into

the engine.

Can a thermostat be put in wrong?

If your thermostat is in the wrong

place it can raise your utility costs

. Proper thermostat placement can make your heating and cooling more energy efficient while still keeping you comfortable.

What is a thermostat jiggle pin?

The thermostat jiggle pin is a pin that is

located in the small hole in the plate valve of the thermostat

and which should always be in 12 o'clock position during installation. It helps bleed the cooling system of trapped air by allowing air to pass into the radiator, after which it can be released from the system.

Which way does coolant flow through a thermostat?

The hose on the right (passenger) side comes from the top of the head, HOT water. The

left side

returns cooled water from the radiator to the thermostat to the water pump and then into the engine block.

What is the coolant bypass hose for?

The bypass feature

allows water to flow around the engine, without passing through the radiator, while the thermostat is shut

. Without it, the water will not circulate correctly creating hot spots around the engine which could lead to damage.

What does a jiggle valve do?

The purpose of the jiggle valve (a small pin-style valve) is

to facilitate refilling of the system by acting as a self-clearing vent hole

. Once the engine is running, the circulation of the coolant forces the loose-fitting jiggle pin against the vent hole to close the aperature.

Where does the o-ring go on a thermostat?

I figured it out.

Thermostat goes in first, then o-ring seal

. The end of the thermostat housing is tapered to make the seal with the o-ring.

Does thermostat come with gasket?

Use the Appropriate Seal

Most

new come with their own gaskets or rubber seal

, but not all. So check that your new thermostat includes one; otherwise, buy one. Remember that you may need to apply sealant to the new gasket—check your vehicle service manual.

Where is the thermostat located?

Most thermostats are located

where the top radiator hose joins the engine

, so these steps deal with this type. If your thermostat is in the bottom radiator hose, the principle is the same.

Do I need a gasket for thermostat housing?

Since the thermostat in your car has a regular gasket,

you can use RTV or not

, at your pleasure. If you've had seepage issues in the past, it's almost a given you'd use it. Even if you haven't, it's not going to hurt anything to use it now. If you do use it, only put a thin coat on it, covering both sides evenly.

Which way does the jiggle valve go on a thermostat?

The FSM says the jiggle valve must be

pointed downward at the 6 o'clock position

. Some people with the Haynes manual for their trucks says it's supposed to be placed at the 12 o'clock position.

Why do cars have two thermostats?

Their purpose is

more for aerodynamics than engine cooling

. The dual thermostat system was designed to accomplish the same temperature control under different load conditions. Instead of manipulation of the air side of the radiator, the coolant flow to the radiator is varied.

What are the symptoms of a bad thermostat?

  • #1 – Temperature Gauge Reading Higher (or Lower) Than Normal.
  • #2 – Sudden Air Temperature Changes Inside Vehicle.
  • #3 – Coolant Leaking.
  • #4 – Rumbling Noises.
  • #5 – Heater Malfunction.

What causes a thermostat to fail?

Thermostats fail

because they become weak, stuck open or stuck closed

. When a thermostat is stuck open, coolant constantly circulates and the engine takes longer to reach operating temperature.

Does coolant enter top or bottom of radiator?

In a cars cooling system, the heated coolant (water)

enters the radiator at the top

and moves through the radiator where it cools down as it falls to the bottom of the radiator.

Which way does the water flow through a radiator?


Top to bottom

. Hot water enters at the top of the radiator, and then the cool water exits at the bottom (where it's fed back into the engine). Top to bottom is more efficient, since you're not working against natural convection.

Does coolant flow through heater core when heater is off?

If the system is not equipped with a heater control valve,

coolant will circulate through the heater core when the heater is turned off

. The easy way to tell if coolant is circulating through the heater core is to warm up the engine with the heater turned off and the temperature set to the coolest setting.

Does coolant flow top to bottom?

The “standard” way is

to pump through the radiator from top to bottom

, and through the block from bottom to top, oriented in a circle. This was chosen because heat rises and cold sinks, so normal thermodynamics circulate the coolant in the “correct” direction, though the pump is required.

What are 10 common causes of overheating?

  • Too little or no coolant. Driving without proper levels of coolant/antifreeze may cause a coolant system failure. …
  • Cooling system leaks. …
  • A broken water pump. …
  • Radiator issues. …
  • Oil too low. …
  • Thermostat failure. …
  • Issues with the belts and hoses. …
  • Heater core is plugged up.

Where is the coolant bypass hose?

These pipes, or hoses, are located near the thermostat housing. Follow the upper radiator hose to the entry port on the engine. Usually the thermostat is located inside the engine, in a housing where the upper hose is attached. The bypass hose is

below the housing

.

How does a thermostat sit in the housing?

In most cars the thermostat is placed under a housing

near the water pump on the cylinder head

; the housing is connected directly to the top radiator hose . In a few cars the thermostat is housed near the bottom hose. Test the thermostat quickly by starting the engine from cold.

How do you put an O ring on a thermostat?


Put in Thermostat then Oring then housing on top

. Oring is to seal between housing and thermostat not thermostat and engine block.

How much is a thermostat gasket?

It will cost you

about $1,000

to have the thermostat gasket replaced, and the labor and parts costs will depend on which mechanic you choose and how many parts need to be replaced.

Do you need to drain coolant to replace thermostat?


You don't need to drain the entire cooling system

with a normal top-mounted thermostat. If the engine is hot, don't drain it. The thermostat housing should be below the level of the radiator tap or bottom hose. …

How do you fill coolant after changing thermostat?

Remove the radiator cap and fill the main system with coolant through the radiator opening until it will take no more and there is a trickle of coolant from the heater bleed screw. Close the screw. Run the engine until it reaches its normal temperature, when the top hose becomes hot as the thermostat opens.

How do I know if my thermostat is stuck closed?

The coolant should warm to the right temperature and begin to flow after 10 to 20 minutes. If it does not start to flow, but

the temperature gauge on your dashboard rises

, your thermostat is stuck closed.

Where is the thermostat located in an engine?

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.

Do cars have more than one thermostat?

Your

vehicle has two thermostats

, a primary and a secondary. The primary and secondary thermostats have different temperature profiles with respect to their opening temperature because they are located on different areas of the engine.

Why does my thermostat gasket keep leaking?


Coolant will also leak out of the system

once the housing is cracked, warped, or damaged in any way. A failed or worn seal may also cause a similar issue. Your engine may overheat if your thermostat housing keeps on leaking, so it's best to address this issue right away.

How do I know if my thermostat is stuck open?

Symptoms of a bad thermostat

Thermostat stuck open: When the thermostat is stuck open,

the engine temperature drops below normal when driving

, especially on the highway in cold weather. A stuck-open thermostat can also cause lack of heat from the heating system. The Check Engine light may come on too.

Do diesel engines have thermostats?

Most, if not all, large diesel engines found in trucks and farm equipment employ a

dual thermostat system

. … Most engines have a radiator bypass circuit that allows coolant movement in the engine when the thermostat is closed (engine cold) to hasten warm-up and to eliminate localized hot spots.

Do semi trucks have thermostats?

Thermostat. A thermostat in a semi

-truck opens and closes based on the heat from the engine

. When the thermostat closes, it allows coolant to flow to the engine and warm it up quickly. If a thermostat can't open and close properly, then this process will not be able to occur and can cause a semi-truck to overheat.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.