Cavalier L4-2.2L VIN 4 (1998)
Thermostat: Description and Operation
THERMOSTAT DESCRIPTION
The 2.2L (4 cyl.) and 2.4L (4 cyl.) engines use a wax pellet-type thermostat. The thermostat is in the coolant inlet passage. The thermostat does the
following functions:
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Controls the flow of coolant
^
Provides fast engine warm-up
^
Regulates the coolant temperature
A wax pellet, or power element, (4) in the thermostat expands when heated, and contracts when cooled. The pellet element connects through a piston
(1) to a valve (2). When the pellet element is heated, pressure is exerted against a rubber diaphragm (3) which forces the valve to open. As the element
is cooled, the contraction allows a spring (5) to close the valve. While the coolant is cold, the valve remains closed. This prevents circulation of
coolant through the radiator. At this point, coolant is only allowed to circulate through the engine in order to quickly warm the engine.
As the engine warms, the pellet element expands and the thermostat valve opens. This permits coolant to flow through the radiator, where the heat is
dissipated through the radiator walls. This opening and closing of the thermostat permits enough coolant to enter the radiator in order to keep the
engine within specified temperature limits.
Both engines use a 82°C (180°F) thermostat. Do not use a thermostat rated above these control temperatures.
A higher-temperature thermostat does not offer a faster warm-up, because the valve (1) remains tightly closed until the thermostat reaches the control
temperature. This is much like a lower-temperature thermostat.
Always install the thermostat with the pointed end facing the radiator. Incorrect installation could cause the engine to overheat.
