What does a skewed thermostat indicate?

A skewed thermostat indicates that it is functioning, but not accurately regulating the engine temperature as intended. This condition suggests that while the thermostat is opening and closing, it is doing so at incorrect temperatures, which can lead to issues such as improper engine operating temperatures. This can result in overheating or insufficient heating of the engine, depending on the application.

In contrast, a broken component would imply that the thermostat is not functioning at all, while a completely failed thermostat would not allow any flow, causing the engine to overheat quickly. Intermittent functionality would suggest that the thermostat sometimes works but fails to operate at consistent intervals. Therefore, recognizing a skewed thermostat is important for maintaining optimal engine performance and temperature regulation.