The thermostat is a small device that performs the function of maintaining a constant temperature in the internal combustion engine. During engine operation, the thermostat is able to block antifreeze, thus preventing it from entering the radiator until it is completely warmed up. While it is closed, the coolant moves in a small circle to ensure gradual heating of the engine. As soon as the internal combustion engine temperature reaches 95 degrees, the thermostat opens, the heated liquid begins to move in a large circle and enters the radiator.
The automobile thermostat is regularly exposed to aggressive liquids and, as a consequence, to the formation of corrosion. Checking the thermostat can be done as follows: the engine is started and warmed up to the working optimum temperature. Then the ignition is turned off and the hood opens, after which you need to touch the radiator hoses, first to the top, then to the bottom. These two hoses should ideally be pretty hot. If one of them is cold, respectively, it is broken and the thermostat needs to be replaced. It is worthwhile at the same time to see if there is a need to clean the radiator, as this sometimes turns out to be one of the reasons for overheating.
Self-replacement of the thermostat requires some simple skills and the following set of items:
- Gauze or a clean bandage.
- Plastic containers: 1 and 5 liters.
- Flat screwdriver.
- Socket wrench.
And, of course, a new thermostat.
Only if everything is needed can the thermostat be replaced:
It is necessary to disconnect the air intake pipe in two places: from the air filter housing and the right pillar near the headlight. After this, the engine should cool down a bit, then carefully and slowly the pressure in the cooling system decreases. This is done gradually by unscrewing the plugs of the expansion tank.
Next, pre-prepared plastic containers will be required. The five-liter one is cut into two parts so that the so-called “tongue” is formed in its lower part. This part of the bottle will be needed, it must be substituted from the bottom so that the thermostat module is tightly covered by the “tongue”.
After completing this simple operation, you can begin to loosen the thermostat mounting bolt. It is worth remembering the strict sequence of this work, it is necessary to start from the bottom to the top, then to the one located at the back.
The lower bolt, which is lower than the rest, is unscrewed with a key several turns. The bolt located on top must be unscrewed a couple of revolutions, and the rear - strictly one. As a result, these manipulations lead to the formation in the front of the gap through which coolant will flow into the plastic container along a special tongue. If necessary, you can speed up the process by slightly opening the gap.
After about a liter of coolant flows out, you can unscrew the bolts, while carefully pushing a flat screwdriver into the slot and shifting the thermostat. This should be done very carefully, as there is a high probability of damage to the thermostat gaskets.
After about 3 liters of antifreeze are in the bottle, it can be filtered off with gauze or a bandage, and then poured into a plastic whole bottle. The cut-off part is again substituted under the thermostat, the bolts are unscrewed to the end, and the faulty thermostat is dismantled. The new unit is neatly installed in place, while paying attention to the fact that the spring is turned towards the engine. Then the bolts are tightened, and the cork that releases air, which is located on the hose leading to the stove, is unscrewed. After that, the filtered antifreeze is poured back into the system, and all the plugs are twisted, thus, the replacement of the thermostat is completed. The engine can only be started after a thorough check of all the bolts.