What is a car thermostat
car thermostats play a vital role in the cooling system of a car. By intelligently controlling the flow path of the coolant, it ensures that the engine always operates in the optimal temperature range. A thermostat is a valve that controls the flow of coolant. Its core component is a temperature-sensitive element, similar to the automatic regulating valve in an automobile .
Types and functions
There are many types of thermostats, including bellows, bimetal sheets, and thermistor thermostats. The bellows thermostat senses the temperature change through the temperature sensor and the bellows structure, the bimetal sheet thermostat controls the opening and closing of the contact through the deformation of the bimetal sheet, and the thermistor thermostat controls the on-off of the compressor circuit through the change of the resistance value .
Installation position and function
The thermostat is usually installed on the water channel of the cooling system and controls the size and circulation of the coolant. The coolant cycle is divided into small cycles and large cycles, and the thermostat regulates the engine temperature by controlling the flow path of the coolant. When the thermostat is off, the coolant can only flow in small cycles, and when the thermostat is on, the coolant can be circulated in large cycles .
Fault manifestations and detection methods
Thermostat failure usually manifests itself in three states: fully off, fully on, and stuck. Fully closed will cause the engine to overheat, fully opened will cause the engine temperature to be too low, and stuck will cause the temperature to be unstable. To check whether the thermostat is working properly, you can judge by touching the temperature change of the upper and lower water pipes .
The main function of the automobile thermostat is to adjust the flow path of the coolant to ensure that the engine can efficiently dissipate heat under different working conditions. Specifically, by controlling the circulation path of the coolant, the thermostat enables the engine to heat up quickly during a cold start and maintain a suitable operating temperature during stable operation.
Working principle
Inside the thermostat is a temperature sensitive element, usually a paraffin material. When the engine starts, the coolant temperature is low, the paraffin remains solid, and the thermostat closes the coolant flow channel to the radiator, allowing the coolant to flow directly into the engine block or cylinder head water jacket through the pump, thereby rapidly increasing the engine temperature. When the water temperature reaches a certain temperature (usually about 85 degrees), the paraffin begins to melt, the thermostat gradually opens, and the coolant begins to circulate widely through the radiator to dissipate heat, thereby regulating the cooling intensity and ensuring that the engine is always operating in a suitable temperature range .
Fault effect
If the thermostat malfunctions, such as not turning on or off properly, it can cause the following problems:
engine overheating : If the thermostat does not turn on properly and the coolant does not pass through the radiator to dissipate heat, the engine may overheat, resulting in reduced performance or even damage.
cold start problem : if the thermostat is turned on too early, the coolant enters the large cycle too early, may lead to prolonged engine warm-up time, low temperature, affecting performance and fuel economy .
Maintenance suggestion
In order to ensure the normal operation of the engine, it is recommended to check and maintain the working status of the thermostat regularly. If the thermostat is found to be working improperly, it should be replaced in time to avoid negative effects on engine performance and life .
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