Overheating

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Jul 10, 2008 | 02:04 PM

#11

Starfury

6th Gear Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 5,896

From: Elk Grove, CA

RE: Overheating

Quote:

ORIGINAL: jcthorne

Another +1 on NOT removing the thermostat. But not for the reason most people think.

Removing the thermostate DOES NOT cause the coolant to 'move through the radiator too fast to transfer heat' Simply not a valid statement. The reason the engine will overheat when you remove the thermostat is that with the back pressure provided by the thermostat orifice gone, the water pump will cavitate causing small bubbles (steam) to be entrained in the coolant flow. The steam does not transfer heat nearly as well causing the engine to heat up. If you want to run no thermostat, install a restriction orifice in the thermostate opening.

It is a valid statement:-| Removing the thermostat increases coolant flow dramatically. If coolant flows through the radiator too fast, it can't transfer enough heat out through the radiator before it runs back to the engine. Just as valid as cavitation.

Jul 10, 2008 | 03:40 PM

#12

urban_cowboy

5th Gear Member

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 2,100

From: Texas Hill Country

RE: Overheating

Without a guage, this is all just speculation. Definitely do not remove the thermostat! These old cars can heat up to 205-215 in traffic with a perfectly functional radiator, waterpump,and thermostat due to poor air flow. I know. I fight it all the time in South Texas with my flex fan and stock shroud. At those temps, the radiator can spit a little, which is what the bottle is for. If you are constantly overheating, then change out the thermostat and try to burp the coolant system, but again this is worthless without knowing a temperature. If the dash gauge does not work, use an IR temp gauge and shoot the thermostat housing and radiator cap.