Call Eurotech Auto Service & Repair if you suspect that your VW’s thermostat has gone bad. If you are having any of the problems listed below, these are signs that it’s time to replace the thermostat. Do not worry. We can do that here at our shop whether you drive a VW or another European automobile. We are European service and repair experts. You don’t need to take your Volkswagen anywhere else. Let’s talk about the signs that your Volkswagen’s thermostat is bad.
The Thermostat Looks Icky
The factory thermostat in the Volkswagen should last for about 100,000 miles or 10 years. If your VW meets these criteria, pop the hood when the engine is cold to inspect the thermostat. If the thermostat is covered in corrosion, it’s actually leaking. This slow leak will not leave spots on the garage floor but will allow the coolant to settle against the thermostat housing. This is what causes the corrosion.
I’ve Got Fluid Spots in My Garage
Eventually, this corrosion is going to eat through the housing and you will end up with fluid spots on the garage floor. Unfortunately, this is also bad news for your engine. If the thermostat is leaking coolant in the garage, you do not have enough coolant circulating through the Volkswagen’s engine. Consequently, you may start to have overheating problems with the engine. It’s important that you avoid driving your VW when the engine is too hot. If you operate the vehicle, you could cause serious engine damage.
My Temperature Gauge Is Acting Strange
You may think that there is something wrong with your Volkswagen’s temperature gauge because the needle keeps moving up and down. Actually, this is a sign that the thermostat is malfunctioning. Instead of releasing the coolant when the engine needs it, the thermostat will release the coolant sporadically. This will cause your Volkswagen’s engine temperature to fluctuate back and forth between hot and cold. We need to take a look at the thermostat right away if your temperature gauge is acting strange.
My Volkswagen Overheats All the Time
Finally, as we touched upon briefly above, there will come a point when your Volkswagen’s engine is going to overheat all the time. This is a sign the thermostat has reached the end of its life and it is no longer monitoring the engine’s temperature. As such, it is also no longer releasing the coolant.
Eurotech Auto Service & Repair in Fort Myers, FL, is here to help, so ring us up today to schedule a service appointment for a thermostat test and inspection.