Belmont Auto Repair

After twenty or thirty minutes of driving, your engine should be fully warmed up, and the temperature gauge should settle near its normal position. If the needle stays close to cold, barely moves, or drops while you are cruising, the engine may not be reaching the temperature it was designed to run at. That does not create the same urgency as an overheating engine, but it still deserves attention. Engines that consistently run too cool can use more fuel, produce weak cabin heat, build up more moisture inside the oil, and sometimes turn on the check engine light. The key is figuring out whether the engine is actually cold or the gauge is simply giving you bad information. A Thermostat Stuck Open Is the First Thing We Suspect The thermostat blocks coolant flow to the radiator while the engine is warming up. Once the coolant reaches the correct temperature, the thermostat opens and allows heat to move through the radiator. If it sticks open, coolant starts flowing thr ... read more