How to Properly Install a Thermostat in a Car

Cars have such a complex engine system, where the engine consists of various components that are interconnected with each other. 

Among the various components in this engine, one of them is the car thermostat. The function of the car thermostat is to maintain the engine temperature at an ideal level. Here are its complete functions.

Function of the Car Thermostat

The car thermostat is one of the cooling components that can be found in every car engine. The cooling component itself plays a role in maintaining the engine temperature. 

The parts inside this engine perform their tasks in a relatively very fast time. Where the high rotation results in an increase in temperature in the car engine parts.

An overheated car engine can cause the radiator water to run out or leaks in its circulation system. If left unchecked, this can lead to engine overheating. 

This can endanger other components. Therefore, the thermostat component is very important in the car engine.

The function of the car thermostat is to assist the radiator in maintaining the engine temperature at an ideal level. The way the thermostat works will follow the working system of other cooling components. 

Initially, water will be pumped by the water pump to the car engine, then the water flow will pass through the water jacket.

The water jacket is the water pathway inside the car engine that surrounds the engine. While flowing, the coolant in this engine will capture the heat generated by the car engine. 

After that, the water will exit through the hose on the engine, then enter the top part of the radiator. Once the coolant enters the radiator, the temperature of all components of the car engine will decrease. 

The hot temperature will be expelled through the small grids located on the radiator, where the heat from these grids will transfer to the air with the help of a fan located behind the car radiator.

After the hot temperature is expelled from the radiator grids, the temperature of the water in the radiator will also decrease and exit from the lower hose of the radiator. 

The water that comes out of this hose will then be pumped back to the engine and reused in the process of lowering the temperature inside the car engine.

This process will occur continuously and repeatedly while the car engine is at maximum temperature. Conversely, when the car engine is at a cold temperature, the water flow in the engine will be closed by the thermostat. 

This happens so that the water does not circulate through the radiator, allowing the car engine to reach an optimal temperature.

At temperatures of about 85 degrees to 90 degrees Celsius, this thermostat will reopen and allow coolant to perform the cooling process through the car radiator. 

In other words, in the car cooling system, the function of the car thermostat is as a switch. Where when needed, this component can regulate the flow of coolant.

How to Install a Thermostat in a Car

The thermostat is an important part of the car cooling system, so if there is damage to this thermostat part, it will affect the entire cooling system. Therefore, checking the thermostat must be done correctly to determine whether there is a problem or not.

If the problem lies with the thermostat, then replacing that component can be done to resolve the overheating issue in the car. 

The first step you need to take is to gain access to the thermostat part. Remember to wear thick gloves while doing this process.

To access the thermostat part, you need to open the car hood and look for the radiator, keeping in mind that the function of the car thermostat is as a switch for the water flow through the radiator. 

You can identify the thermostat by the short black hose visible on the radiator, which will be attached to the thermostat cover. 

After finding it, remove the engine coolant and disconnect the outlet hose or upper rubber hose. Remove the thermostat cover and take it out to replace it with a new one. 

Install the new gasket on the thermostat, then align the jiggle valve on that component with the mark on the right side.

The position of this jiggle valve can be shifted 10 degrees to the right or left from the mark, then insert it into the housing. Then reinstall the outlet hose or upper rubber hose. 

Thus, the way to install the thermostat in the car has been successfully done correctly, and the thermostat can work to address the car's overheating.

The engine cooling system is indeed very important, including the thermostat part. 

If one of its components has a problem, then the entire system will not work optimally to cool the engine temperature, so overheating will not be resolved. 

Therefore, it is important to perform regular maintenance on engine components.

Read also: Car AC and How It Works