Thermostat: An Engine Part that Prevents Overheating

Anthony Fontanelle
January 16, 2008

The engine assumes a major part in the main operation of a vehicle because it generates the much-needed power through fuel burning. Every part of the engine works hard to come up with the best performance possible for an automobile. Thus, vehicle owners must be very mindful of the maintenance of these vital components. One way to preserve the quality of the engine parts is through regulating the heat that the fuel burning process generates. To prevent overheating, the vehicle is equipped with a cooling system that maintains the engine’s normal operating temperature.

The cooling system is composed of several parts that work together to keep the engine cool. One of the most important components of the cooling system is the thermostat. Its major function is to control the operation of the cooling system by regulating the amount of the coolant pushed into the system by the radiator. The thermostat provides data concerning the flow rate of the coolant, which is a mixture of water and antifreeze that absorbs heat from various engine parts. Once the engine attains the right temperature, the thermostat hampers the flow of the coolant. On the other hand, if the engine is likely to suffer from overheating, the coolant control valve of the cooling system opens and allows enough amount of liquid coolant or water to penetrate the engine.

Despite rigorous maintenance of engine parts, it is inevitable that the thermostat wears out in the long run. Once the thermostat malfunctions, the cooling process becomes inefficient. Thus, the condition of this critical engine part must be monitored from time to time. When the damage to the thermostat is beyond repair, vehicle owners must have the engine part replaced right away. This prevents the possible troubles of vehicle overheating and engine malfunction.

Source:  Amazines.com