[tommyfromla]

So my car was overheating and the problem was the thermostat seal a tiny rubber piece and the mechanic told me that I don't even need a thermostat and that if I lived in a real cold area yes I would. Has anyone ever heard this theory??

 

[Joey]

I can't see how running without a thermostat would be a good thing. If the engine doesn't get up to the proper running temp, then it will not perform at its best, and without a thermostat it may never get to the proper temperature.

I have heard this theory over the years in almost every make and model car, but it all comes down to someone opinion or what they have heard. If the car didn't need a thermostat, do you think after millions in engine research that the builder would say... you know what, it doesn't really need this part, but lets put it in there just in case someone wants heat to come out of the vents.


Not trying to be a pain , but I am in a week long 12 hour a day training course that is frying my brain and it is only the morning of day 3...

 

[sandberg84]

The T-stat determines the lowest temp of the engine. that is a 190 T-stat keeps the car running at 190 or above , (above 190 the radiator determines the temp) which some brilliant italian engineer has determined the temp they want the engine to run at for best operating efficency. removing it will generally mean it will that it will not run as well poorer fuel economy more emissions etc as the car is running cool.

 

[The Head]

There is another issue, the cooling system is designed to have the t-stat in there to assist in adjusting the flow rate of the engine, many cars with t-stat removed will see HIGHER engine temps and better chances of overheating.

This is because without the t-stat to restrict coolant flow the coolant moves too quickly through the engine and does not pull enough of the heat out of the motor.

 

[xraygun]

Find a new mechanic. That's an old wives tale perpetuated by nitwits that don't understand how a cooling system works. It needs a thermostat for the cooling system and climate control to work properly. It isn't a 56 Dodge truck. (that runs hotter too without one)

 

[FormulaDynamics]

Don't have time for a really technical answer here on this today. Suffice it to say that you should not run without a thermostat.

Best Regards,

 

[Fastfreddy]

I haven't seen it firsthand but, looking at the Eurospares diagrams, it seems that the thermostat on our engines is integral with the water neck on the water pump. That's the piece that the radiator hose clamps to. If so, it would be impossible to run without it anyway.

 

[tommyfromla]

So yea guys I am having a problem and it seems nobody has experienced this before... So last week I was driving I realized that the temp went above 195 where it always stays then it slowly started going higher so I took the car to a mechanic he worked on it said that the thermostat is bad and actually the car didn't need one. That being said he said the seal that goes around the thermostat was bad so got that replaced then it still ran real high so then he thought it was the temp switch the sensor so we replaced that and it still runs high... Its real annoying the thing is that when I drive the car and air goes through the temp comes down a tiny bit. Anyone ever heard of this problem or have any suggestions?????

 

[GCalo]

Every car needs a thermostat. You can't burn fuel efficiently w/o one, and the emission system will not function properly..

If your car is running hot use a lower temperature rated thermostat, but don't run w/o one!

 

[xraygun]

Did he actually take out the thermostat when he fixed the seal? You can't run an exotic engine like ours without one. I'd disagree with the lower temp thermostat, I'd say that there is another problem and underlying cause that should be addressed asap. The guys in Maranello specified that thermostat temp for good reason.

 

[Livingisowal]

I ran my 95 wrangler without one for about a year when I was 16. Crank the heater up and you are good. haha. Only kidding.

 

[BeeYouZeeZee]

What everybody else said...


In addition, If the cooling system gets air in it, it can't pump coolant efficiently. I'd check there first.

 

[DeaneG]

Replace the mechanic with a knowlegeable new one, and the thermostat with a factory unit, and like Buzz said, bleed the air out.

 

[xraygun]

And tell us who he is so we can avoid him.

 

[tommyfromla]

So an update.... After reading what all you guys said I said screw this I went to the dealer in the morning bought a new thermostat 130 bucks btw and took it to him I said I want this in there so he put it in and knock on wood the temp stays in the middle where its suppose too no higher than 195 so I am real happy I just hope it stays that way... Also have you guys ever heard of that stuff water wetter by redline its real good stuff and keeps temps down they say up to 20 degrees just curious what you guys thought about that stuff because summer is coming up and it will def get over 100 degrees in the valley just curious....


Thanks team your advice was really appreciated!!
Tommy

 

[xraygun]

I live in Palm Springs and it gets up over 120 here. I've never had a problem with my cars temperature. knock on wood.

 

[stephenson]

WaterWetter lowers temp by lowering the ratio of water to coolant - I have never seen any independent testing to show there is anything magic.

Just use recommended coolant and mix at the recommended ratio.

George

 

[GrndLkNatv]

Purpose of the Thermostat...

Thermostats have a couple of purposes..

First off it keeps the engine at a consistent temperature for even performance.. Since the car is expected to run at a certain temperature the engineers can then plan on fuel delivery, timing and other things once they know what the consistent temperature of the engine will be. This consitent temperature determines all sorts of things including the thickness of cylinder walls, intake and exhaust ports, all of that stuff. With consistent temperature you can build a more precise engine because the expansion of the metal is controlled, wherease free air engines are not controlled and must be engineered with loser tolerances to take into account more expansion.

The second aspect is sludge build up in an engine. If the engine never reaches proper running temperature the oil will build up deposits in the block, thus clogging the filter sooner, leaving sludge down in the block, actually causing the engine to wear out pre-maturely... As a former marine mechanic, Mercury, Johnson, Evinrude, OMC and Chris Craft I can personally tell you there is nothing like a Chris Craft engine for oil sludge in the block. The boat uses lake water directly and here in Colorado, Grand Lake, never sees the high side of 55 degrees F which means the engine never runs over about 120 degrees and the oil just deposits itself in the lifter gallery, etc... Needless to say the first thing that happens on a rebuild around these areas is boiling the block..

Water Wetter is a very good product. In real racing you are not allowed to use Anti-Freeze as when an accident happens or a hose goes you leave the water/antifreeze on the road and it's a hazard to all those driving around you. Water Wetter doesn't provide this slick mess on the road and it is allowed by NASA and SCCA for all of their events. It really does work..

 

[leadfoot_mf]

WaterWetter lowers temp by lowering the ratio of water to coolant - I have never seen any independent testing to show there is anything magic.

Just use recommended coolant and mix at the recommended ratio.

George

well sort of... coolant is not very effective as a heat transfer product what it is for is anti freeze and rust prevention. what water wetter does is make water even better at the transfer of heat.