Car Thermostat

How Does  Car Thermostat Work

Car thermostat function:

The automotive Car Thermostat is a temperature controlled on and off valve. Any liquid-cooled car engine has a small device called the thermostat.Car thermostat sits between the engine and the radiator.When the temperature rises to a predetermined temperature, the thermostat opens up to allow the engine coolant to flow through the cylinder block and the radiator. 

This flow is crucial to maintain optimum operating temperature for fuel efficiency, enhanced drive ability, and engine protection.You can say the thermostat reduces engine wear, deposits and emissions.

See  the image shows how thermostat functions when engine is cold and when engine is hot

Car Thermostat controls the engine cooling system.The coolant flow is reduced when the engine is cold, and the flow is increased when the engine is hot. Contrary to popular opinion, operating the vehicle without the thermostat doesn't make the engine run cooler. It will actually run hotter because there isn't a thermostat to slow the coolant flow. This means the coolant doesn't stay in the radiator long enough to dissipate its heat.

There is small cylinder located on the engine-side of the thermostat. This cylinder is filled with a wax that begins to melt at thermostats heating temp, different thermostats open at different temperatures.The most common for regular thermostats is 180 F/82 C is a common temperature. In the above picture you can see the copper color metallic rod.This rod connected to the valve presses into this wax. When the wax melts, it expands significantly and pushes the rod out of the cylinder, opening the valve.This is how thermostat functions.

Car thermostat stuck open

Before replacing the thermostat its advisable to check the thermostat.

How To Test Car Thermostat ,before changing thermostat:

There are several ways to test the opening temperature of a thermostat.

Testing Thermostat without removing from engine:

1. Remove the radiator pressure cap from a cool radiator and insert a thermometer into the coolant.
2. Start the engine and let it warm up. 
3. Watch the thermometer and the surface of the coolant.
4. When the coolant begins to flow, this indicates the thermostat has started to open.
5. The reading on the thermometer indicates the opening temperature of the thermostat.
6. If the engine is cold and coolant circulates, this indicates the thermostat is stuck open and must be replaced.

The other way to test a thermostat is to remove it.

1. Suspend the thermostat completely submerged in a small container of water so it does not touch the bottom.
2. Place a thermometer in the water so it does not touch the container and only measures water temperature.
3. Heat the water.
4. When the thermostat valve barely begins to open, read the thermometer. This is the opening temperature of this particular thermostat.
5. If the valve stays open after the thermostat is removed from the water, the thermostat is defective and must be replaced.
6. Several types of commercial testers are available. When using such a tester, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
7. Markings on the thermostat normally indicate which end should face toward the radiator. Regardless of the markings, the sensored end must always be installed toward the engine.
8. When replacing the thermostat, also replace the gasket that seals the thermostat in place and is positioned between the water outlet casting and the engine block.

Positioning a thermostat into an engine.

• Generally, these thermostat gaskets are made of a composition fiber material and are die-cut to match the thermostat opening and mounting bolt configuration of the water outlet.

• Thermostat gaskets generally come with or without an adhesive backing. The adhesive backing of gaskets holds the thermostat securely centered in the mounting flange, leaving both hands of the technician free to align and bolt the thermostat securely in place.

How to install a thermostat

Procedure Changing Thermostat For Car OR How To Replace Thermostat

CAUTION:
If the radiator is filled to the top with coolant and the engine is run without the radiator cap in place, the coolant will expand and spill over as the engine warms up.

1. 1. Drain some coolant into a clean container until the coolant level is below the thermostat housing.
   
   
   2. Remove the upper radiator hose connection from the thermostat housing.
   
   
   3. Loosen the housing bolts and remove the housing.
   
   
   4. Remove the gasket and scrape it carefully from the surface of the housing and the mounting surface on the engine. If the gasket remains on either of the surfaces, there will probably bea coolant leak after reassembly. Some engines use a rubber O-ring to seal a thermostat housing.
   
   
   5. Compare the size of the thermostat to the old one. They are of different sizes, types, and temperature ratings.
   
   
   6. The temperature rating is stamped on the sensing bulb on the bottom of the thermostat. The temperature bulb faces the block.
   
   
   7. When replacing a thermostat, be sure that the thermostat fits into the groove in the block or outlet housing. If the thermostat is installed upside down, the engine will overheat.
   
   
   8. Install the gasket.
   
   
   9. Reinstall the thermostat housing. Refill the system and run the engine or pressure test to check for leaks.
   
   
   10. When the engine has reached operating temperature make sure the thermostat opens.
   
   
   11. You should be able to see coolant circulating within the radiator.
   
   
   12. Another way of checking thermostat operation is to feel the top of the radiator hose or use a thermometer or multimeter with a temperature probe to confirm that the coolant is warming up.
   
   
   13. If the engine is overheating, but the top hose is still cool to the touch, the thermostat is stuck closed and must be replaced.    
   
   
     
   NOTE
   
   
   When a paper gasket is used and the recess is in the thermostat housing, it is a good practice to position the thermostat into the recess and glue the gasket to hold it in place. If it falls out of its groove during installation, the outlet housing can be cracked or a coolant leak will result. Before tightening the water outlet housing, try to rock it back and forth to be sure it is flush. Housings are often cracked during this step.
   
   

Why You Should Leave Engine Control Unit Repairs to the Pros

Engine Control Unit Repair Pros

Modern cars can have over 80 separate computers scattered around the car, but one of the big ones is the engine control unit (ECU). Also known as the engine control module (ECM), this controls most of the key engine functions, including the fuel/air mixture, spark timing, and more.

From the outside, an ECU looks like a box due to the housing that protects the circuitboards. If you have a certain amount of mechanical aptitude, it can seem like all you have to do to repair it, replace it, or tune it is to unplug it and plug a new one in. But this can create some big problems.

Here are some reasons why you should leave this job to the pros.

They Know What to Adjust

Whether you need a complete replacement or just want a chip tuning module added, you need to check all of the variables. Even small changes in the settings or software can have big consequences, including causing the whole engine to break down.

Even if the computer is exactly the same, all of these variables need to be double-checked. If the job is to install an engine remapping chip, then these variables need to be adjusted to make sure that they’re all within the right areas. Plainly put, a pro will make sure everything’s working together nicely.

They Have the Equipment

The best a home mechanic can hope for is to plug a chip tuning unit in and hope everything works out. If there’s anything wrong, then it could seriously damage your engine. There is equipment that can perform a full diagnostic and check all of the above variables, but it’s not exactly in the budget of the average car owner.

Pro shops have the resources needed to buy that equipment. They also have extensive training in how to use that equipment. As a result, you can count on them to make sure everything’s set up correctly down to the last detail.

They Have the Experience

Even if you’re the most avid car enthusiast, odds are good that you’d only own a handful of cars that need ECU work. And if you mess this procedure up, you could be looking at a very expensive repair bill.

But not the pros. Over their years of experience they’ve tuned and remapped hundreds of cars in a wide variety of makes and models. They know the ins and outs to safely make any repairs of modifications. They also know the pitfalls to avoid.

When you come right down to it: doing your own ECU repairs or modifications is taking a big risk with your very expensive car. You’re much safer to spend the extra amount necessary to get it installed by the pros.

The Pros and Cons of Engine Control Module Tuning

The Pros and Cons of Engine Control Module Tuning

The engine control module, also known as the engine control unit, is the computer that controls key functions of your engine. By hooking a chip tuner or performance chip into the system, the parameters from the computer can be altered. This can change key factors in the engine, such as the fuel/air ratio or the spark timing.

Here are a few pros and cons of ECU tuning.

Pros

More Power:

Vehicle manufacturers tend to be conservative with the settings on their ECM to account for changes in elevation, temperature, fuel, and maintenance schedules. Chip tuning can change the settings to get more power from the engine, adding a good chunk of HP to the car.

More Efficiency:

The main goal of chip tuning for a long time was power, but today’s higher gas prices and environmental goals have changed that. Modern chip tuning can help your engine run more efficiently, and can give boosts of 5-10 mpg.

Affordable Upgrades:

If you’ve shopped around for custom car parts, then you know how much they can run you, and how much they can cost to get installed. It’s best to get your chip tuning down by a pro, but even then it’s still less than getting a new custom exhaust system.

Cons

More Wear & Stress:

That extra horsepower translates to more force and heat being generate. Along those lines, a higher red line translates into thousands of more revolutions. All that force, heat, and revolutions translate to a lot more wear and stress on your engine.

Easy to Make Mistakes:

It might seem like chip tuning is as simple as plugging the chip into the right port, but it’s a little more complicated than that. Use the wrong chip or the wrong chip settings and you can easily cause your engine to seize up or break down. And the damage can often be irreparable. This danger can be avoided by having the chip tuner installed by a pro.

Increased Maintenance & Care:

One of the big reasons manufacturers are so conservative with their chip settings is that they expect people to perform infrequent maintenance or use lower quality gasoline. When your engine has a chip tuner installed, you’ll need to make sure that you perform more rigorous maintenance, and be choosy about the kind of fuel you put it.

Also, it’s important to note that better replacements parts will help you get the most out of your chip tuning. This isn’t really a con, since many people who get chip tuners are planning to customize their ride anyway. But it is something to take into account.

How to Replace an Engine Splash Shield

Engine Splash Shield Replacement

Safety Tip:
Always wear safety glasses when working on your vehicle. Wear other personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, for example latex gloves or closed toe shoes.

1

Secure the vehicle on a level surface, making sure the vehicle will not roll or lean when jacked up.

2

Use a jack to raise the vehicle.
Photo may not be specific to your vehicle

3

Secure the vehicle with jack stands on both sides for safety before starting any work. Do not rely on the jack to hold the vehicle up while working.

4

Locate the engine splash shield.
Photo may not be specific to your vehicle

5

Inspect the engine splash shield for damage.

6

Remove the old, damaged splash shield.
Photo may not be specific to your vehicle

7

Inspect mounting locations and hardware for damage, replace as needed.

8

Install new engine splash shield.

9

Ensure engine splash shield is secure.

10

Lower vehicle and road test to verify repairs.

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