A car thermostat is designed to last a long time – typically around 100,000 miles or 10 years. However, various factors can impact its lifespan. First, driving conditions play a role. If you regularly drive in hot weather or stop-and-go traffic, your thermostat may suffer additional stress.
Modern home thermostats tend to have about a 10-year lifespan but are usually replaced sooner due to innovations in the market. Non-programmable thermostats have become outdated and replaced by programmable (or learning) thermostats.
The average cost for a Thermostat Housing Replacement is between $506 and $550. Labor costs are estimated between $134 and $169 while parts are priced between $373 and $382.
Driving a car with a broken thermostat is not advisable. The thermostat regulates the engine's temperature by controlling the flow of coolant. If it's stuck closed, the engine can overheat, leading to severe damage such as a blown head gasket or warped cylinder head.
You Notice Erratic Temperature Changes
If you notice sudden and erratic temperature changes from cold to hot or hot to cold, then it could be a sign that your thermostat has stopped working correctly. Get your vehicle inspected if you notice these extreme temperature changes in your vehicle interior.
Your vehicle can either have a stand-alone or an integrated thermostat housing made of high-quality plastic or metal. While these materials are designed to last for a long time, exposure to extreme temperatures and movement in the coolant rubber hose may cause your thermostat to eventually spring a leak.
Thermostat replacement normally involves the removal of other parts, such as throttle housing and throttle body, as well as draining and refilling the cooling system, but should take a home mechanic around a couple of hours or so.
Erratic temperature readings in the instrument cluster will usually cause the thermostat housing to fail. If this happens, the wrong amount of coolant may be sent to the engine which in turn will cause the thermostat housing liquid to either underperform or over-perform.
Replacing an analog or digital thermostat is one of those DIY projects you can do yourself. Analog thermostats are easier to install but digital ones offer more advanced features, such as programmable settings.
While there is a small chance that there is an issue with the running temperature of your engine, by far the most common issue with trouble code P0128 is a faulty thermostat. The exact location of the thermostat and issues related to a damaged thermostat may vary depending on your vehicle.
Blown head gaskets can happen when an engine severely overheats due to a faulty thermostat, clogged radiator, leaking water pump, radiator, radiator hose or heater hoses or when the coolant in the cooling system is not changed per the O.E.M.'s scheduled maintenance.
A car thermostat is designed to last a long time – typically around 100,000 miles or 10 years. However, various factors can impact its lifespan. First, driving conditions play a role. If you regularly drive in hot weather or stop-and-go traffic, your thermostat may suffer additional stress.
Installation typically takes about 1 hour.
If your car is constantly overheating, you may have a bad thermostat housing. A faulty housing can lead to a coolant leak and engine damage. Do not wait to have your issue diagnosed.
If you drive with a bad thermostat, your car could overheat, causing severe and expensive engine damage. And while it's technically possible to drive without a thermostat, we don't recommend it. Your car will not reach an acceptable operating temperature, resulting in higher fuel consumption and excessive engine wear.
The Lifespan of a Thermostat
On average, most thermostats last about 10 years, depending on the model, usage, and proper maintenance. However, many people decide to replace their unit sooner to take advantage of new energy-saving technologies.
The simplest reason for car running hot but not overheating is a failed gauge itself. When the sensor that measures the temperature is faulty or does not work, it is common to notice a wrong reading. This sometimes may get back on track by cleaning the sensor as dust and debris may come in the way.
Car thermostat replacement time is 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the make of the car. It will cost you around $190 to $350, including labor. Thermostat repairs usually take more time, requiring extra time to diagnose and analyze the vehicle's thermostat. It can take up to 2 hours.
Without a functioning thermostat, your engine can either overheat because the coolant isn't circulating properly, or it can take too long to reach the proper operating temperature, which can also cause engine problems over time.
The gasket on the thermostat is the seal. Make sure you clean the groove that it rests in real good, upper and lower. But a thin bead of red rtv around the outside edge of the gasket before putting the neck back on will do the trick.
The answer: it depends. While many car warranty providers and vehicle manufacturers include the car thermostats in the limited powertrain warranty, others exclude this coverage, leaving drivers to pay out of pocket for this important vehicle component.