What Causes A Thermostat Housing To Crack

Thermostat housing function

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. If you can avoid clogging that groove in the thermostat housing, it will let all the trapped air pass right through, without having to wait for the motor to heat up & open the thermostat. I bled the hell out of it anyway, even after it warmed up, but only a number tiny bubbles made it out.

The thermostat housing is a crucial part of the internal working of your voice. The thermostat housing is located in the engine in between the engine and the radiator. When the engine cools off below the operating temperature, the thermostat housing is closed. The engine’s closed-off part allows the coolant to properly and effectively circulate and move through the engine.

Keeping the thermostat housing closed ensures the coolant can travel to the radiator, which is in charge of transferring the heat. When the engine temperature increases to the high end of the engine operating range, the thermostat housing has to open.

When the thermostat housing opens, the radiator can cool the coolant before moving back to the engine.

To best understand how the thermostat housing works, you must know the engine’s function and the radiator in your car.

What is the radiator?

The radiator is in charge of transferring the necessary heat from the fluid inside of your vehicle to the air outside. This transfer process cools the fluid, which then cools the engine to prevent overheating and high temperatures. Radiators are often used to cool automatic transmission fluids, air conditioner refrigerant, intake air, and reduce motor oil or power steering fluid temperature.

Radiator Flush

To keep your radiator working in good condition and keeping your thermostat housing at a high level includes performing a radiator flush in your car. Draining the radiator might get rid of most of the wayward antifreeze, but it could also leave some coolants and some debris behind that can build up and cause performance issues. The contaminants that are left behind after the radiator flush can mix with your new antifreeze and cause overheating and friction creation. To get a full flush, you need to remove all of the unwanted debris and the old liquid so that the old antifreeze does not mix with the newer antifreeze.

Besides just removing the old antifreeze with contaminants from your radiator system, other benefits to flushing your radiator are that it can remove the rust built up over time and the debris accumulated on the radiator as a result of the old contaminated coolant. This radiator flush can also prevent future leaks and future higher radiator flush costs, prevent foaming, corrosion, and the debris build up in the new antifreeze.

What is the engine?

The gasoline car engine’s main purpose is to convert fuel into motion so that your vehicle can move both forward and backward. The best way to turn this fuel into motion is to burn the gasoline inside the engine of your vehicle, also known as the internal combustion engine. By converting the energy from the heat burning into mechanical work, you can quickly lower your car.

What is a car thermostat?

When determining how much is a thermostat for a car, you need to first know what it is. A car’s thermostat and thermostat housing is the cooling system mechanism that is in charge of two main functions in your vehicle. First, the thermostat needs to get the engine to heat to the proper temperature to run optimally as soon as possible. The second function is to keep the engine at the correct operating temperature, so your car has a high performing and reliable engine.

What is the function of the car thermostat?

In cars today, the most popular type of thermostat you will most likely find is in charge of determining the flow of coolant to the radiator. The coolant is the liquid that serves the main function of transferring heat and adding antifreeze protection to the car to provide any breakdown of parts. The coolant’s main function is to regulate the temperature of a system – in this case, the vehicle’s coolant’s ooling system.

The radiator that the thermostat is bringing the coolant to is in charge of the vehicle’s heat exchange, designed to transfer heat from the hot coolant through to the fan to cool it off. The coolant and radiator being in good condition can affect the car thermostat price and the longevity of the thermostat housing.

This specific kind of car thermostat uses a certain type of mechanism, consisting of a chamber that uses a wax pellet in charge of melting and expanding at a certain temperature. This expansion and changing this pellet’s sizes then alter the rod that opens a valve when the operating temperature has been exceeded, meaning it is too hot for the engine to run.

This process of using the rod to open the valve allows more coolant into the radiator. You might be wondering what the wax pellet has to do with this – the wax composition largely controls the engine’s operating temperature. The performance of the thermostat directly affects the performance of the thermostat housing in your car.

Symptoms of Faulty Thermostat Housing

If your car is frequently overheating, a faulty or damaged thermostat housing could be the culprit. A broken thermostat housing is more likely to cause a coolant leak in your vehicle, resulting from cracked housing, warped housing, failed seals, or damaged seals that can leak fluid into the engine and cause heat dissipation.

The thermostat housing usually consists of metal or plastic material in your vehicle. In addition, the thermostat housing is a stand-alone part that is separate from the thermostat of your car, or it can be used in tandem with the thermostat and just replaced as a singular thermostat housing unit, reducing the overall labor costs in your vehicle.

Can I drive with a damaged thermostat housing?

If the coolant thermostat or the thermostat housing is broken or leaking fluid, it needs to be replaced as soon as you can. If the coolant level is quickly declining or the coolant is full of debris, the vehicle needs to stop being driven before the problem worsens. Furthermore, if the leak is big enough to cause the engine to overheat due to excessive friction, it can potentially cause the car to not run at the necessary performance level.

In some cases, letting the thermostat housing deteriorate before the issue is solved, the electronic control module in your vehicle will cause the car to go into ‘limp’ mode.

Limp Mode

Limp mode is self-preservation included in vehicles. This mode turns on when it detects abnormal readings or a misfiring or malfunctioning electrical component or mechanical operation. When this happens, your car can detect that there are serious issues with the usual components of your car and needs to be checked for your safety and prevent further damage to your car and your thermostat housing.

Limp mode turns off your car’s extra features, such as the radio and air conditioning, to preserve energy for the features that are required to run the car, like steering and transmission. That is why it is called limp – only the bare and basic features are needed to drive your car, so the extra aspects are reduced and turned off.

An example of limp mode is if your engine control unit detects that your boost pressure is 2.0 when it should really be 1.3 bar. If you over boost, you could damage your pistons or other internal parts – and do so very quickly.

Since many car owners do not notice the engine light or ignore it thinking it is a minor issue, the engine control unit can turn on limp mode and shut off the turbo boost completely to ensure it doesn’t damage any parts or the thermostat housing.

Thermostat Housing Replacement

The thermostat housing will need replacing if your vehicle outlasts the thermostat, and the part is not functioning correctly. If the hose cracks, the seals are damaged, or the housing cracks due to consistent cooling and heating, the overall thermostat housing can break down and wear out over time.

In some cars, the housing and the thermostat are integrated and need to be replaced together to prevent any damage from one part, causing a breakdown of the subsequent part. The thermostat housing replacement should be performed at regular maintenance intervals to ensure that your car can continue working at an optimal level.

  • How is the thermostat housing replaced?

The thermostat housing is replaced once the engine is no longer running, and your car has completely cooled down, ensuring no part is hot while you are working on the interior of your vehicle. A technician you trust at your local auto body shop will first unscrew the fasteners that keep the housing in place and remove the old and damaged part.

After the mechanic has unscrewed the fasteners, the gasket of the thermostat housing or the sealing of the housing is cleaned, ensuring no dirt and debris have built up over time. Once the seals have been cleaned or removed, the new seal is installed on the thermostat housing.

Once the new thermostat housing is installed, the engine is started by the driver, the mechanic, and then brought up to the normal operating temperature. As soon as the coolant is replaced with the thermostat housing, the technician must drain the extra coolant before finishing the last step.

No matter what happens with the coolant levels and the thermostat housing, any air that is trapped in the cooling system must be removed at this step in the process. This can usually be done by utilizing a vacuum tool that can remove excess air before adding the necessary coolant to get the proper level.

  • Can I replace the thermostat housing myself?

Suppose you feel like you have sufficient mechanical knowledge and have worked on your car before. In that case, you may be wondering if it is possible to replace the engine coolant thermostat housing yourself. Although your local mechanic or auto body worker usually does the cooling system, if you feel like you can follow the proper guidelines for the cooling system internal parts, you can try this fix yourself.

By keeping in mind the guidelines for properly bleeding the engine coolant system of air, you can prevent any damage in the engine and overheat from occurring inside your vehicle. If the thermostat housing has become damaged and has warped, showing signs of cracks or leaks, it can be replaced by almost anyone who follows the steps in the correct order.

  1. Thermostat Housing Replacement Price

The thermostat housing replacement’s average cost is usually between $249 and $298 on average for most car owners. The labor costs for replacing the thermostat housing are estimated between $148 and $187, while the cost of the parts is typically priced between $101 and $111.

  • Replacing Car Thermostat

Over time, problems can build up, and a thermostat replacement is necessary to keep your cooling system running smoothly and efficiently. The thermostat is consistently in use when the engine is in use, so it undergoes extreme wear.

In addition, this part leads to further issues like engine overheating, excessive friction, engine damage, and potential engine replacement if you let this problem go on for too long without any fixes. Furthermore, it can be clogged by dirt in the engine coolant, meaning that the coolant level will be too low and not be able to travel between the system.

To give you an idea of how much is a thermostat for a car, we have included some sample replacement costs for popular cars on the market today. The least expensive option is for the 2002 LDV Convoy, which costs between $60-$70 for the franchise dealer and $40-$45 for the independent garage fix. The second cheapest option is the 2001 Peugeot 206, costing between $80-$90 at a franchise dealer and $50-$55 at an independent garage.

Conclusion

When determining the function of the thermostat housing, you need to know the function of this part, the function of the thermostat in your vehicle, the signs of a faulty thermostat housing apparatus, and the overall replacement procedure for this crucial internal part in your car.

Thermostats in your vehicle are important parts that are often overlooked for more ‘important’ internal pieces like the engine and the transmission. Thermistor and thermostat housing is mainly crucial for two reasons – the purpose of the engine warm-up and the potential to regulate the engine operating temperature.

By unlocking the coolant’s circulation between the engine and radiator, the thermostat ensures that the engine reaches the necessary temperature before releasing the coolant. Thermostats and thermostat housing ensures that your car has great fuel economy, reduces the chance of engine wear and tear, and improves durability in cold weather.

Let’s find out the main function of thermostat housing, the steps of the thermostat housing replacement in your car,

The Function of Thermostat Housing

The thermostat is located between the engine and the radiator, helping regulate the heat transfer fluid flow to maintain the correct temperature. The thermostat is required in every single car to keep the engine operating at the proper temperature.

The thermostat’s duty or the thermostat housing is to impede the flow of the coolant to the radiator until the engine has reached the proper operating temperature to run correctly. When you start your vehicle after the engine heats up and gets warm over time, the coolant will also get hot within the engine.

Due to the coolant warming up and heating within the engine, the wax pellet inside the thermostat melts. Once the engine gets to around 180 degrees Fahrenheit to operate correctly, it expands and pushes the cylinder rod out of the valve’s opening. Expanding the cylinder then causes the hot coolant to flow throughout the cooling system after leaving the thermostat housing.

The radiator helps the coolant cooldown so that very hot liquid does not flow around the entire vehicle. As the coolant reaches a lower temperature, the wax in the temperature housing returns to the normal position and reduces the coolant flow. Due to the wax returning to the proper position, the thermostat and the thermostat housing work together to reduce the engine temperature.

Car Thermostat Housing Replacement

The best way that you can go about the thermostat housing repair or replacement is to refer to your service manual for your specific vehicle. This way, you won’t replace any unnecessary parts, and you won't cause any internal damage in your vehicle by fixing the wrong thermostat parts.

After referencing the service manual, you may be confused or lost as to what step is next – thankful for you; we have ten tips that can help new car owners and beginner car fixers replace the thermostat housing in many various models. Since the unit is easily accessible and can be found when working on your car, it does help that you may not need to remove any parts.

If you still need help finding the one part that you may need to remove the air cleaner assembly, then we have a step-by-step guide and procedure that you can use to replace the thermostat housing for your specific car. We have also included tips on how to work with any components that might be blocking your access to the thermostat housing.

To replace the thermostat housing and the thermostat, there are certain tools that you will need to carry out the repair and replacement. The main tools that you will need to replace the thermostat housing is a clean rag, new thermostat, gasket, gasket sealant, screwdriver, socket wrench, adjustable wrench, wire brush, and drip pan.

  • Cool the Engine

The first step in replacing the thermostat housing is to let the engine cool off. First, wait for the radiator and the engine to cool before trying to replace the thermostat. If you try to work on this apart too quickly, you can easily burn your hand or harm any other internal components. When the system is hot, the cooling system is under extreme pressure, and you will unintentionally burn yourself by releasing a huge gush of coolant.

  • Drain Some Coolant

The next step in replacing the thermostat housing is to drain the coolant in your vehicle. Drain about two quarts of coolant using the radiator drain valve before you disconnect the upper radiator hose from the thermostat shell. Disconnecting this ensures the level of coolant can drop below the thermostat housing.

Thermostat Housing For Chevy Aveo

If the coolant level was too high, it would splash up over the housing’s sides and cause excess friction and wear and tear. However, draining the coolant ensures the coolant stays low enough and does not separate the upper radiator hose. Coolant can cause some parts to deteriorate over time, meaning that replacing the thermostat housing ensures your car’s longevity.

  • Access the Thermostat Housing

Once the previous step has been completed, you need to remove the radiator hose from the thermostat housing in your vehicle. To find the thermostat housing in your specific car, there are a few steps you can follow to make sure you locate the correct part.

Follow the upper radiator hose to the engine – in some cars, this may require you to remove the air filter assembly to clear the parts around the thermostat housing case. You may need to disconnect the hose and the electrical sensor connector from the thermostat housing in some cases.

Once the upper hose is removed from the thermostat housing, you may find that the hose had a little trouble coming off. To break the seal, insert a flat-head screwdriver to pull off the thermostat housing so you can gain access to the part you need to remove.

  • Use the Right Tool

In this scenario, the right tool to remove the thermostat housing is a six-point wrench or a six-point socket of the correct size to loosen and remove two or three housing mounting bolts.

  • Remove the Thermostat Housing

When trying to remove the thermostat housing from your vehicle, you may need to use a rubber mallet or screwdriver handle to tap the housing and loosen it. Make sure that you do not use the wrong tool, like a wrench or regular hammer, since the thermostat housing can easily break.

  • Check Thermostat Housing Alignment

Make sure you lift the thermostat housing away from the engine, paying attention to how the thermostat is positioned inside the thermostat housing case. To check the alignment and the positioning, take notice of which direction the bleed pin is pointed to in the casing. If the bleed pin is pointing in a certain direction, make sure you install the new thermostat pointing in the same direction.

  • Clean the Surfaces

Once the thermostat is removed, cover the engine’s opening to prevent any liquid, sealant, or gasket material from leaking into the engine and causing excess friction and overheating.

What Causes A Thermostat Housing To Cracks

To properly clean the thermostat housing and engine surfaces, you will have to use a plastic scraper to remove any sealant built-up overtime on the surfaces. Ensure that you use a plastic scraper to avoid scraping and scratching the surfaces too hard.

  • Purchase a New Thermostat

When buying a new thermostat for your thermostat housing, make sure you purchase one with the same temperature rating your car manual states for your specific vehicle. You can easily find this information in your manual, with most thermostats ranging between 192F or 195F rated thermostat.

  • Use the Right Seal

Along with getting the correct thermostat, you also need to use the proper seal to ensure a tight connection. Most new thermostats come with their own rubber seals, but you may need to buy one on your own in some cases.

You might need to apply a sealant to the new gasket for your thermostat housing – check which kind of sealant to use by referring to your service manual. In addition, some thermostats might come with a rubber seal and not a traditional gasket – in this case, apply a coat of coolant to the seal.

  • Install a New Thermostat

This is the last step in replacing the thermostat housing. You have to compare the new thermostat you just installed to the old one in this final step. Then, put each one in place along with the seal and tighten it to ensure a snug connection without any leaks.

Once the new thermostat is securely installed, look for any marking on the thermostat, indicating which end should face the radiator positioned correctly inside the thermostat housing. If you are unsure, some thermostats will have pins that help you position the thermostat within the block and the thermostat housing.

Thermostat Housing Options

  • Duralast Thermostat and Housing Assembly TA2003DL

This thermostat housing assembly is manufactured with OEM quality materials and meets the necessary safety standards set forth by an OE supplier. This thermostat housing comes with a limited lifetime warranty, weighs 2.3 pounds, has four outlets, is made of plastic and stainless steel, and includes gaskets.

Costing $97 to install on your vehicle is a reliable and durable option that works well on all cars.

  • Crown Automotive Thermostat Housing

This specific thermostat housing fits in the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Dodge Durango, including a thermostat and seal that can withstand 203 degrees. Weighing just 0.70 pounds and constructed of steel, plastic, and rubber, this thermostat housing is compatible with 3.6-liter or 3.0-liter engines.

  • Duralast Thermostat and Housing Assembly 39170

This thermostat housing is only $22 and weighs just 0.60 pounds. Being able to withstand even the most demanding and high-heat conditions, this thermostat housing is compatible with nearly all automotive cooling systems due to the copper case and wax compound construction.

  • Duralast Thermostat and Housing Assembly 51280

What Causes Thermostat Housing To Crack

This Duralast thermostat housing contains a 1-year warranty and weighs just 0.45 pounds. Gaskets are included in this thermostat housing, and it contains 2 outlets. Composed plastic and stainless steel can withstand demanding automotive cooling systems, complete with the offset design, air relief valve, and OEM style seals.

Thermostat Housing Replacement

To find out the overall price for your thermostat housing repair or replacement in your vehicle, it is important that you can compare various parts available on the market today to see which one fits your vehicle's needs and your own price range.

Some of the most common options will range between $25 and $35. For example, the Motorad Engine Coolant Water Outlet comes to $27.99, with the part working well with the thermostat housing mechanism.

Dorman OE Option

In addition, the Dorman OE Solutions engine coolant thermostat housing with a limited lifetime replacement comes to $12 on the market. This is an inexpensive option that can directly replace the original thermostat housing on certain vehicle years, makes, and models. This type of thermostat housing is resistant to high heat and temperatures with durable and long-lasting construction, preventing cracking and breaking over time.

CarQuest Option

Another price option for a thermostat housing replacement is the CarQuest engine coolant thermostat housing with a limited lifetime replacement. This part is more expensive, coming in at nearly $40.

Water Neck Addition

Furthermore, if you buy a water neck to go with the thermostat housing, this can run you an average of between $15 and $20. One example of a water neck is the Mr. Gasket option, coming in at $18. This part is compatible with the thermostat housing for a complete replacement.

What Causes A Thermostat Housing To Crack In Windows 10

The Mr. Gasket water neck is a chrome-plated piece that offers a snug fit, an O-ring to prevent any water or oil leaks, and a precision die-cast for durability.

Conclusion

Thermostat replacement

Now that you know the steps to replace the thermostat and thermostat housing, it is also crucial that you know the importance of this part before setting off on the placement procedure. Knowing the steps of replacing thermostat housing, the importance of this part and some good options on the market can help you make a smart decision about your vehicle.