Re: OK to remove thermostat?

On May 13, 8:26 pm, klu...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
> J <durhambusdri...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> >Will it harm anything if I remove the therrmostat for the duration of
the
> >summer?
>
> No, but it won't do you any good.
>
> >My goal is to make the engine run cooler to extend the engine life.
This is
> >in reference to a 1994 Chevrolet Corsica with a 6 cylinder engine with
> >168,000 miles. The gasket is an o-ring that is part of the thermostat,
so I
> >will make my own gasket to fit around the thermostat housing to prevent
> >leakage. Thank you.
>
> The engine will run cooler only when it starts up, when you want it to
> heat up.  It won't run any cooler during long hot drives, when the
thermostat
> would be open anyway.
>
> This will not extend your engine's life, it will only reduce your gas
> mileage because it will take longer for the engine to come up to
temperature.
>
> If the engine is running hot, find out what is causing it to run hot and
fix
> it.  If the engine is running hot, taking the thermostat out will not
cause
> it to run any cooler.
> --scott
> --
> "C'est un Nagra.  C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Modern thermostats are not bistable like the old ones. It is not just
full open or full closed.  Modern cooling systems do a good job of
holding engine temp at a specific value.  However, I agree with the
idea of fixing any overheating problem properly. If there is not an
overheating problem, don't monkey with it.