MMS Automotive is the best auto shop in South Bay, and we are here to help if your MINI Cooper needs a new thermostat. The need for a new thermostat generally occurs once the MINI is 10 years old or older. It’s important to replace a faulty thermostat as soon as possible to avoid the problems listed below. These problems are signs that the thermostat is going bad.
Rust All Over the Thermostat Housing
One of the first signs that the thermostat is going bad is rust all over the thermostat housing. The thermostat is located under a protective housing near the water pump. The thermostat uses a valve that it opens and closes to release coolant into the water pump for engine circulation. The thermostat gauges the engine’s temperature so it knows when to release the coolant.
If the coolant valve gets stuck, coolant can seep out of the closed valve and rest against the thermostat housing. Consequently, when this happens, you may not realize that the thermostat is leaking. The only way to tell that the thermostat has a slow coolant leak is to inspect the thermostat housing to see if it is corroded. If it is, it’s important to change the thermostat at that time.
Coolant Leaking Out of the Thermostat
If you fail to change the thermostat when the housing is corroded, the coolant will eat through the housing metal and create a larger leak. Consequently, you may back your MINI out of the garage and see coolant spots or puddles on the garage floor. This leak is much larger than the leak discussed above, and, as such, you may start to have problems with your MINI’s engine running too hot.
Erratic and Continual Temperature Changes
Unfortunately, a leak is not the only problem that an older thermostat can have. The thermostat can also malfunction and become unable to read the engine’s temperature. When this happens, you may notice that the temperature gauge needle on the dashboard moves up and down erratically. This is a sign that the thermostat is not releasing the coolant at the right time.
Constant Engine Overheating
Finally, your MINI is going to start overheating constantly if the thermostat has died. In fact, the engine will overheat quickly after you fire it up. If your MINI Cooper is overheating, we recommend you have it towed to our shop rather than drive it to avoid engine damage.
MMS Automotive in South Bay, CA, is staffed with MINI Cooper experts, so call us today to schedule an appointment for your MINI.