You can't check it. Just replace the $5 part...

 

You can check a thermostat easily just put it in boiling water and if ir opens its good and it should close when u take it out
Josh

 

sweet. thanks guys! i really appreciate the help!

 

There is NO POINT in checking the thermostat if it's good or not...it's $5 or less and once it's out, you just replace it.

 

was wondering if this problem is fixed

my 1996 civic ex is doing this but when it is colder i.e below 32 when it is like 40 or above outside the gauge shows normal as usual.

going to get a timing belt and water pump in a month so I think I will get a new thermostat and sensor if it is as cheap as everyone says along with a new radiator cap and have all the fluid drained and new stuff put in.

what does everyone think here?

 

That sounds good. You could change the radiator cap right now on your own. You might save money in the process. (you might not need a new cap either, but I guess you might want to for peace of mind).

The mechanic will need to drain your cooling system to change your water pump anyways, so he had BETTER put in new coolant. That really would be a good time to change the thermostat and sensor, since you'd have to drain your system to change those too. I suppose you could have the mechanic test the thermostat first. If you don't need one now, you'll save on the cost and you also generate less waste (so there is a point to checking the thermostat if you care about that stuff [8D]). It is a bit of trouble to drain the system and get to the thermostat, so you'll save on labor by doing it now. It's up to you, but I think there's benefits to either choice that are worth mentioning.

 

okay this problem on my 96 civic ex sedan was the thermostat - dealer said it was bad and had it replaced while I had the timing belt done.

dealer says they fail open - so that would explain on a cold day going down the highway why my temp gauge would actually go cooler and just outside of the normal region.

works like champ now.