[Supras] Thermostat question
cthommes at adelphia.net
cthommes at adelphia.net
Mon Aug 6 18:21:46 CDT 2007
WHAT!? Before shouting at someone else, get your facts straight. You *need* to use a thermostat for your car to function properly. Argue this point with me if you want, I won't listen.
Your thermostat *will* cycle at all times while the engine's running. Probably never or rarely fully closed, but probably rarely fully open either. The thermostat is not a light switch that is simply there to let your car warm up faster, it has a range of opening.
There are plenty of situations where the cooling effects of a properly functional cooling system overcome the heating effects of internal combustion. Coasting down a long grade for example. Driving at light-load highway speeds in sub-freezing temperatures for another. You seen the show Ice Road Truckers? You know, the one where they cover all but a very small opening of their radiator grill with a tarp to keep coolant temps high enough to run right?
The thermostat is the only device in your car that regulates the coolant temperature. And yes, part of its function is to slow flow so that coolant will remain in the radiator for some period fo time. Take it out if you want your coolant tempurature to be a guessing game, I sure don't.
With a real temp gauge you can see all this happen (most dramatically for the first 5 or so cycles after a cold start). For those of you who think you know better based on the stock gauge, you should first know that the stock needle sits in EXACTLY the same spot between 150F and 240F.
So let's review. If you want your engine to damage itself from heat problems, the easiest way to do this is to keep the stock gauge, remove the thermostat, and replace the mechanical fan for an electric (all in the name of 3 or 4 mystical magical "free" horses).
-Craig
---- millenia2000 at hotmail.com wrote:
> WRONG WRONG WRONG.
>
> the thermostat keeps the coolant locked in the engine until it reaches
> normal operating temperature, then it opens to allow it to cycle the coolant
> thru the radiator to keep it at operating temperature and avoid overheating
> the engine. it does not open and close as you drive unless you blast your
> engine with liquid nitrogen while you drive.
>
> your engine is looking for a set temperature where the pistons and other
> metal parts are expanded to their proper size. engine running colder than
> this have extra clearances and introduce posibility of banging around the
> wrong way. thermostat locking closed from a cold start helps drive the temp
> up faster ( hence why its fully warmed up after 5 minutes instead of 10-15).
> You CAN run without a thermostat, just remember that it will take longer to
> warm your car up.
>
> think of it this way, you start your car in the winter with the heater at
> full blast. it will take longer to get heat than to let the car warm up and
> THEN turn the heat on.
>
> -Sean
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Harley" <CoolGuyHDB at sbcglobal.net>
> To: <supras at supras.com>
> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 6:11 PM
> Subject: Re: [Supras] Thermostat question
>
> > LOL. I just read the original e-mail sent out. You don't want to run with
> > out the thermostat. More water is normally good right? Yes... But the
> > thermostat keeps the coolant in the radiator so it can be cooled while
> > your driving, then when you stop it opens back up and allows the cooler
> > coolent into the engine to keep the engine from over heating when your not
> > moving. Pull the thermostat out and your not allowing the radiator to do
> > its job properly.
> >
> > - Harley(87t)
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Jeff Mohler
> > To: Harley
> > Cc: supras at supras.com
> > Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 3:02 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Supras] Thermostat question
> >
> >
> > IMHO, it was the blood sacrifice that the aftermarket manufacturers skip
> > in the design process.
> >
> > A little goat's blood can go a long way.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On 8/6/07, Harley <CoolGuyHDB at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> > I used a non OEM Tstat from autozone... Lasted less then a week before
> > it
> > failed. Don't know what it is.. but it just doesn't work properly. Buy
> > it
> > from Toyota.... Its not THAT much more than the one you would buy from
> > your
> > local parts store.
> >
> > - Harley(87t)
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jeff Mohler" <speedtoys.racing at gmail.com>
> > To: "Bob" < bob at hairballcreations.com>
> > Cc: <Charismatisch at aol.com>; <supras at supras.com>
> > Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 2:21 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Supras] Thermostat question
> >
> >
> > > Note to all on list that didnt read that closely..
> > >
> > >
> > > OEM thermostat only, if you dont go OEM, odds are we'll be hearing
> > from
> > > you
> > > soon after using a non OEM Tstat wondering if you have a BHG, when in
> > fact
> > > you didnt get an OEM thermostat.
> > >
> > > On 8/6/07, Bob <bob at hairballcreations.com > wrote:
> > >>
> > >> I can't give you a simple Yes or No answer.
> > >>
> > >> I would lean toward no but just replace the thermostat with an OEM
> > unit
> > >> and
> > >> you will be sure...
> > >>
> > >> Bob
> > >>
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >> From: supras-bounces at supras.com [mailto: supras-bounces at supras.com]
> > On
> > >> Behalf
> > >> Of Charismatisch at aol.com
> > >> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 1:13 PM
> > >> To: supras at supras.com
> > >> Subject: [Supras] Thermostat question
> > >>
> > >> Hi guys and gals,
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> simple question:-
> > >>
> > >> If the thermostat doesn't open fully, can the car show signs of
> > >> overheating
> > >>
> > >> when driven at top speed (i.e. airbubbles in expansion-tank, air in
> > >> rad.pipes,
> > >> temp. gauge goes into the red)?
> > >>
> > >> At normal speed the car is fine - if I speed it up, I get the
> > typical air
> > >> in
> > >> the system, bubbling in the expansion tank, and temp gauge goes into
> > red
> > >> (not a BHG - that was repaired about 600 miles ago along with all
> > >> the other
> > >>
> > >> gaskets!).
> > >>
> > >> As I only drive it in the summer a pal of mine suggested taking the
> > >> thermostat out completely and sealing the housing - fors and
> > >> againsts??
> > >>
> > >> Any answers much appreciated!
> > >> Derek from Germany 88T Automatic.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the
> > all-new
> > >> AOL
> > >> at
> > >> http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
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> > >> 4:16 PM
> > >>
> > >>
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