Bring your diesel truck to Moose Job Truck Shop if you suspect the thermostat is going bad. We will test the thermostat and replace it if necessary. Generally, the average lifespan of a factory thermostat is seven to 10 years or 100,000 miles to 150,000 miles. If your truck is older and you notice any of the problems listed below, the thermostat is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
Rust On the Thermostat
One of the first things that can happen to an old thermostat is it can start to leak coolant slowly out of the coolant valve. The coolant valve is what the thermostat uses to send coolant into the engine. Sometimes, this valve can get stuck in the closed position and coolant will seep out of it. It’s just enough coolant to puddle around the thermostat and corrode it. Consequently, your diesel truck’s thermostat needs to be replaced if there is rust on it.
Leaking Engine Coolant
Failing to replace the thermostat when it is corroded will cause an even bigger engine coolant leak. This is because the corrosion will eat through the thermostat’s metal housing. When this happens, you will end up with coolant puddles or spots on the garage floor underneath your diesel truck. A more severe leak will reduce the coolant levels in the engine and cause it to overheat every time you drive the diesel truck. Bring your truck to our shop if it has a coolant leak.
Erratic Temperatures
Another sign that the thermostat is malfunctioning is erratic temperatures in the engine. You will see your temperature gauge on the dashboard move up and down sporadically as the thermostat struggles to understand when the engine needs coolant. This can cause your engine to run too cold, which is a problem with diesel engines, or it can cause your engine to run too hot. The temperature gauge should always read normal once the diesel engine heats up.
Constant Overheating
Finally, and as mentioned above, problems with your diesel truck’s thermostat can cause the engine to overheat all the time. This may be the only sign you get that the thermostat has gone bad. The engine will overheat if the coolant levels are too low, if the thermostat fails to send coolant to the engine, or if the coolant valve is stuck in the closed position.
Call Moose Jaw Truck Shop in Moose Jaw, SK, today to schedule an appointment for your diesel truck for a thermostat inspection if the truck is having any of the problems listed above.
