r/AskAShittyMechanic • u/ABQmechanic • 10h ago
Customer says his 190°F thermostat hit 206°F. How much should I charge to fix this?
Customer says it’s overheating again because it has a 190° thermostat and his IR gun found 206°.
Apparently he’s been walking around the engine bay shooting everything with it trying to find where the extra 16 degrees are coming from. Radiator, hoses, thermostat housing, probably the alternator next.
He says anything over 190° proves the thermostat isn’t working because “otherwise why would they call it a 190?”
I told him to check the exhaust manifold next. If he finds 600° I’m quoting an engine.
What else should I have him point the gun at before I send the estimate?