Can a car run alright without a thermostat?

Question

My hubby is playig with his 82 Datsun Stanza & wanted me to ask this question...

Answer 1

Yes it can, but you're heater will not work is the only thing.

Answer 2

The answer is that it depends. If it is a factory, stock vehicle then no. It won't run alright without a thermostat. If it is having cooling problems, unless the thermostat is at fault, something else is causing the problem. That needs to be determined and resolved. However, if it is a fairly modified engine that runs at higher rpm with a high flow water pump then you may have to eliminate the thermostat and install a restrictor plate instead. A higher pressure radiator cap would also be needed most likely. This is more likely to be a problem once you start turning over 7000 rpms in an engine. You also would not be very concerned about a heater in this situation. I just described my car which is a sometimes drag racer. I can't run a thermostat and I don't have a heater. I run a restrictor that lets more coolant flow through the system. The cold engine bypass is plugged so coolant is always flowing. At 7500 rpm it is really flowing. Several manufacturers sell thermostatic restrictors that have different size openings so you can tune or balance the cooling system. To prevent potential damage to the engine I do have to let it warm up for a couple of minutes(more in winter) but that is all.

Answer 3

Car Thermostat Problems

Answer 4

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You can 100% for sure run your car without a thermostat in a warm or temperate climate such as Hawaii and it should do fine. However, you're bound to have issues because of it. The car was designed to get to a certain operating temperature. Some issues you may have might include the following; - heater wont work very well (not a problem right?) - you'll use a lot of gas because the sensors will tell the computer that the engine isn't warming up properly - your oil won't get to a good operating temp and that can cause you problems with bearings and such (chemicals in the oil need a certain temp range) - you could easily foul spark plugs And so on. Keep your thermostat.

Answer 5

Here's the real answer. The car can run fine without a thermostat, it will not overheat because of the missing thermostat. The only problem you will have is in the winter months, it will take a lot longer for your engine to heat up to operating temperature. This means that you will burn more gas (because the engine will call for a richer mixture until it gets warmed up) and you may find your heater will take longer to actually put out any heat, and it may not be as hot as normal.

Answer 6

Thermostats are cheap and gasoline is expensive. Not having a thermostat will make the car take longer to warm up, burning more gas until the engine hits operating temperature.

In some cases, removing the thermostat makes the coolant circulate too fast. In this case, the engine may not truly overheat, but some spots may not get cooled enough and have problems.

Answer 7

I'm not disputing anything written here, but I had an old car that ran for years without a thermostat-have since sold the car and its still running without engine problems.

Answer 8

A car can run without a Thermostat .

BUT , It's playing a dangerous game without one , It can quickly boil without much warning and could run poorly in cold weather .

If it is just for a temporary Fix , It would be fine to leave the Thermostat out until you can get a replacement

A 1982 Stanza Does NOT have a Computer , it is a Carby only 1600cc 4 cyl engine

Oh , If anyone doubts my Boil Over theory - Read this :-

Snip
To control the rate of water flow thought the engine and radiator and to get water pressure in the block to 30psi we need to select the correct restrictor size. If the restrictor is giving the correct pressure but the water temperature is too low then the pump speed can be lowered.

If the engine is too hot, we can go to a bigger restrictor. If this doesn’t affect temperature then we can increase radiator size and/or increase pump pressure.

Some people remove the restrictor (thermostat) in an effort to decrease temperatures. This will cause the temperature guage to read a lower temperature but water pressure in the block and head will be much lower, steam pockets will form in the hottest areas. The combustion chamber, exhaust valve and piston crown will then overheat, causing detonation.

The solution to better cooling in the engine is to move less water in a more rapid fashion, rather than moving more water.
Snip

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Answer 9

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RE:
Can a car run alright without a thermostat?
My hubby is playig with his 82 Datsun Stanza & wanted me to ask this question...

Answer 10

On a low performance junk car it probably make no difference. But performance wise the main reason for the thermostat is to maintain coolant system pressure so that water is packed in the channels. That will allow the coolant to do its job to the best.

Answer 11

You can ( when you have a head gasket that's worn out) slight air leak it will push through your motor going to your thermostat, problem with that is that it will trap hot air and it wont let water go by, temp gauge will peg out, so if you take the air problem out you just take the thermostat out GG WP noobs. reference been doing body work and mechanical work sense I was 5, plus I have a beater and I know how to ****** rig it