The thermostat is a mechanism that regulates the flow of coolant in the small and large circuits of the engine cooling system. Simply put, this is a valve whose operation directly depends on the temperature of the antifreeze. This temperature is always different and depends on the make of the car, operating conditions and climatic conditions. For example, off-road vehicles driven in hot regions set thermostats at temperatures up to 60 degrees to avoid engine overheating. In northern regions, valves up to 90 degrees and higher are used. There are also similar valves with electronic control, which selects the opening temperature depending on a number of factors taken into account by the engine management system.
A malfunctioning thermostat can lead to dire consequences, since if a large cooling circuit is blocked, there is a high probability of the engine overheating.
Signs of a bad thermostat
The malfunction can occur in two scenarios. In the first case, the valve opening temperature is lost. In the second case, it simply jams (in the open or closed position). Symptoms of a malfunction are as follows:
- The temperature needle rises above its normal position. However, it does not reach the red line, and the critical engine temperature lamp does not light up. The malfunction is probably due to the fact that the valve does not open completely, or has begun to open at higher temperatures.
- On a warm engine, the temperature gauge is lower and does not rise to operating temperature. The situation is the opposite of the first point.
- The arrow goes off scale and the critical temperature lamp lights up. This indicates a failure of the thermostat or pump, or the presence of antifreeze leaks. It is necessary to immediately turn off the engine, otherwise you may end up with major repairs.
Reasons why a thermostat may fail
The thermostat is responsible for maintaining the optimal temperature of the car engine.
An experienced driver can determine a malfunction of the VAZ-2110 thermostat for indirect reasons. They can be divided into the following points:
- Thermostat takes too long to heat up . This can happen due to unstable operation of the engine, which produces strong vibration. This can damage the valve of the device, causing antifreeze to get inside the thermostat. As a result, the device will work more slowly.
- The valve may also open earlier than expected . As a rule, this is the result of antifreeze getting into the element responsible for coolant temperature.
- The thermostat may open with a delay . Most often, this occurs due to leakage of the filler, which is responsible for the valve opening temperature.
- The thermostat works correctly, but the engine constantly overheats . This may occur due to the coolant moving only in a small circle. The engine may also overheat due to cracks in the pipes or radiator.
- Mechanical damage to the thermostat valve can also prevent it from working correctly.
- Manufacturing defects . Unfortunately, domestically produced spare parts are often produced with factory defects, which can lead to a whole series of unnecessary work, since after changing the thermostat, the car owner will look for the cause of the breakdown anywhere, but not in it.
- Destruction of the rubber seal. If oil gets into the coolant, it can quickly render all rubber parts and pipes that were in contact with the oil unusable.
Oil causes seals to break down.
How to solve problems on the VAZ-2110?
Most thermostat problems can be resolved on your own. As a rule, VAZ-2110 owners do exactly this.
It happens that, despite the normal operation of the thermostat, the temperature of the coolant in the engine is constantly above normal. If you are sure that the thermostat is working properly and the cooling radiator is new, clean and undamaged, then you should replace the device with another one.
Loosen the radiator outlet hose clamps.
Loosen the clamps of the pump pipe supply hose.
Remove thermostat.
The new thermostat should open at a higher coolant temperature.
If the device opens late, then you need to check the entire system for the presence of coolant in it. It happens that the tank is full, and air pockets in the system interfere with the full circulation of antifreeze.
Video on how to repair a VAZ-2110 thermostat
Thermostat valve malfunction
The thermostat may open early due to high pressure in the cooling system. Excessive pressure is very dangerous, it can lead to rupture of pipes or the radiator in the best case, and seizure of the engine in the worst case .
The thermostat valve may open early in the following cases:
- Increased engine speed.
- Failure of the thermostat spring.
The spring may cause the valve to operate early.
- Problems in the cooling system.
This last point is extremely broad. The reason may be either an insufficient amount of antifreeze in the system or a failure of the radiator, pipes, and so on.
Long warm-up
VAZ-2110 drivers often encounter the problem of the engine warming up for too long. This may be due to the following reasons:
- The thermostat valve does not close completely.
The reason for the engine taking a long time to warm up is a stuck valve.
- The valve disc is damaged.
- The thermostat is installed incorrectly or has changed its position as a result of manipulations under the hood.
The engine can heat up even if the thermostat is in full working order, so you should not focus on it.
The role of the thermostat in the engine cooling system
The engine cooling system is divided into two circuits: large and small. The small circuit encloses the internal elements of the engine and the heater radiator for heating the interior. The large circuit includes the small one, but in addition passes through the cooling radiator located in front of the engine. Thus, when the coolant temperature reaches a set level, the valve opens the flow into a large circuit and the antifreeze is cooled by oncoming air, entering the cooling radiator. If there is not enough oncoming air, the engine temperature sensor transmits a command to the control unit, which in turn turns on the cooling fan located in front of the radiator.
As soon as the air entering the radiator cools the liquid to a certain temperature, the valve closes and the antifreeze again flows through the small circuit. As a result, the engine temperature is maintained in operating condition.
Types of thermostats for the “ten”
Initially, a thermostat with 4 holes was installed on carburetor engines. That's what they call it - four-hole. All these holes have a diameter equal to the internal diameter of the pipe. As a result of this similarity, the pipes fit tightly. But the need to tighten the clamps still does not disappear.
A pipe goes from the thermostat to the engine block. Hot liquid is supplied through it, which only cools the cylinder jacket. The second is on the radiator, to its lower part. The third is for the stove and pump. The last, thinnest one is for the expansion tank.
But on VAZ 2110 injector cars you can often find a more advanced version: a six-hole thermostat. They first started using it on dozens and are still installing it, but on newer Kalinas and Prioras. The principle of its operation is the same. There is only one peculiarity: from the stove, liquid flows through a cold circle into a separate hole.
From here, from the hot circuit, the fluid is taken, which heats the throttle valve. The internal structure is similar to the first type of thermostat; at the base there is a valve with a temperature-sensitive element. The main feature is that the unit is collapsible. If it fails, only the temperature-sensitive element can be replaced.
Replacing the thermostat VAZ 2110 injector 8 valves
To replace a faulty unit on a “ten”, you will need a container with a volume of at least 10 liters (you can use two of five) and a standard set of tools. Follow these steps:
- Drain the coolant from the engine.
- Remove the air filter housing to gain access to the work area.
- Loosen the clamps and remove the pipes.
- Disassemble the housing by unscrewing 2 bolts, then remove the part.
- Replace and reassemble everything in reverse order.
Replacing the thermostat on a VAZ 2110 was done with your own hands. Now you need to pour coolant back into the system and start the engine. Monitor the level of antifreeze in the expansion tank, since air may escape from the system when it warms up.
During the first few days, check the system for leaks to avoid loss of coolant. Replacing the thermostat of a VAZ 2110 injector 16 valves is carried out using a similar method.
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How to check the thermostat without removing it from the car
Checking the operation of the thermostat on a VAZ-2110 is very simple. The main thing when checking is to work with a cold engine.
The check occurs according to the following algorithm:
- A cold engine starts and warms up within 2–3 minutes. At this time, the coolant should only flow in a small circle.
- To check that the antifreeze is moving in this way, you need to touch the pipe that goes to the top of the main cooling radiator. It should be cold, this indicates that the thermostat valve is closed.
You can determine if the thermostat is faulty without removing it from the car.
- As soon as the engine temperature rises to 90 degrees, the valve should open and the antifreeze will flow in a large circle. If this does not happen, the thermostat valve is stuck and will not open.
Otherwise, the valve may become stuck open. Then the antifreeze will circulate in a large circle immediately after starting the engine. This will never lead to overheating of the engine, but will significantly affect fuel consumption, since the operating temperature of the engine will be reached over a longer period of time.
Video about checking the thermostat without removing it from the car
Selection of the necessary thermostat parameters
The choice of this spare part must be approached wisely, since the temperature, as described above, should depend on the operating conditions. Try to take into account conditions such as where the vehicle is used and the loads under which the vehicle is used. Choose a part so that your car's engine does not overheat, but at the same time, so that it does not operate in low temperature ranges - the second case can lead to increased wear of engine components.
In addition to benefiting the engine, the thermostat affects the comfort of the driver and passengers. The temperature in the cabin directly depends on what parameters the new valve has. If you operate the car mainly in winter, then choose a part with a higher valve opening temperature. Otherwise, the antifreeze temperature will not be sufficient to heat the interior to a comfortable temperature.
