2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

Anyone drivin without there thermostat?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-16-02, 04:22 PM
  #1  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
ItsNiceToBurnRice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anyone drivin without there thermostat?

Im thinking about doing it, my temp will hit up to 3/4 in the 80 degree weather. Ive replaced everything except for the rad. I cant afford it right now, I just changed my fluid but I didnt flush it. thats why Im gonna do it again in a couple days. I was just wondering if anyone currently has there thermostat out and how their temp is doing.
Old 04-16-02, 04:25 PM
  #2  
Super Raterhater

iTrader: (6)
 
SonicRaT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NY, MA, MI, OR, TX, and now LA or AZ!
Posts: 10,624
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I hear liquid nitrogen does wonders, er don't quote me on that. I've heard of a couple people running without the thermostat, though engines do like to heat up to about halfway between the gauge, I think you should be fine for a short-term solution. However, I am no expert, and I disclaim any responsibility
Old 04-16-02, 04:34 PM
  #3  
Senior Member

 
MazdaRx7Power's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i have a gutted thermostat, they say its not good for the car cause it never reaches operating temperature. but i did it and the car rarely gets 1/2 way now.
Old 04-16-02, 04:38 PM
  #4  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
tmak26b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Norwich, CT
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Gut it dont remove it
Old 04-16-02, 04:39 PM
  #5  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
ItsNiceToBurnRice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
gutting thermostat

And how do I go about gutting my thermostat?
Old 04-16-02, 04:43 PM
  #6  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
tmak26b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Norwich, CT
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
www.mazdamotorsports.com has an article on it
Old 04-16-02, 04:46 PM
  #7  
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Omaha,Nebraska,USA
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm no expert either, but it doesn't hurt to try taking out yer thermostat... Throw it in a pan and boil it.. see if it works properly while it's out..
Old 04-16-02, 04:48 PM
  #8  
Senior Member

 
MazdaRx7Power's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
all u have to do is just clip the side legs off and leave the actual housing there. when u cut the legs off the spring will come off and all you will have is the housing.
Old 04-16-02, 04:55 PM
  #9  
I'm a boost creep...

 
NZConvertible's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 15,608
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
A thermostat that is working properly will not be the cause of overheating. Look elsewhere for the actual cause of the problem. Don't use half-assed band-aid methods.
Old 04-16-02, 05:17 PM
  #10  
...

 
Ryde _Or_Die's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 7,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My car doesn't have a thermostat. The previous owner took it out to try to cure an overheating problem. Then I bought the car and put in a fluidyne radiator and changed the water pump and I hardly see the gauge go up to 1/3, and I am in a damn fire hole down here.
Old 04-16-02, 05:51 PM
  #11  
I'm a boost creep...

 
NZConvertible's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 15,608
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
The thermostat is there to bring the engine up to operating temp as quickly as possible and then maintain a constant temp regardless of cooling load and outside conditions. This minimises fuel usage (from enrichment when cold) and reduces engine wear, and keeps the engine running at its most efficient temperature. It also slows the coolant flow to a speed that maximises cooling capacity.
A properly working thermostat will not be the cause of cooling problems and it certainly won’t cause your car to overheat! The fact that every automotive engine has one should give you a clue. Why everyone wants to rip them out or gut them is completely beyond me...
Old 04-16-02, 05:52 PM
  #12  
...

 
Ryde _Or_Die's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 7,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey I actually want one, but haven't had the time or efforts to put one in. Kind of a pain in the *** when you always are going somewhere and can't leave your car sit.
Old 04-16-02, 05:58 PM
  #13  
What R U thinking self?

 
Rpeck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I heard your heater will work like **** without a thermostat. Not a big deal in florida or CA, but here in cali I use my defrost in the morning alot. Something to consider.
Old 04-16-02, 06:42 PM
  #14  
Senior Member

 
Ranzo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Memphis, Japan
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My experience with no thermostat is that your car will overheat!! The thermostat housing works as a (for lack of a better term right now) bridge in the cooling system.

What I am saying is basically when you take the thermostat all the way out the water/coolant cannot flow around the engine properly and just flows from the water pump to the radiator and back again. You might not notice how hot your engine is because the WTR Temp sensor is in the radiator and that water is most likely cool. If you drove it on the circuit or long trips you would probably find that pressure would build up and our car would suddenly overheat, almost without warning.

This is why people gut them instead of taking it out.

Randy....
Old 04-16-02, 07:03 PM
  #15  
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Icemark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Rohnert Park CA
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 19 Posts
If you entirly remove the thermostat the engine will not cool properly, and will tend to have hot spots which will cause early failure.

The cooling system in rotarys and many small engines need the pressure to be un-even on each side to flow through the engine properly.

If you are convinced that you must drive with "enhanced cooling" that you think running without a thermostat gives you, then use a thermostat that you gut. The reduced opening size (compaired to a missing one) will help cooling the entire motor more effectively.

But a properly functioning thermostat is the best bet for anything but a track car.
Old 04-16-02, 08:11 PM
  #16  
Flinstone Power

 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Joe

Dude check your PM's I need to get that stuff off you so i can hit the road.. or return my calls.. Dave
Old 04-16-02, 08:33 PM
  #17  
0-60 in 15 minutes

 
benhart21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Camp Pendleton, CA/ Boulder, CO
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With mine, when my thermostat went bad, the temp guage would skyrocket and just to take a short trip, I'd have to drive with the heater full blast in 90 degree weather just to keep the damn thing from blowing up. Took me 10 minutes to replace it, and now the guage stays around 1/3 and never goes above 1/2. Hell, one of the best $15 investments I've ever made.
Old 04-16-02, 08:49 PM
  #18  
HAILERS

 
HAILERS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: FORT WORTH, TEXAS,USA
Posts: 20,563
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 19 Posts
RANZO.....the water temp sensor is in the rear side housing approx 1/2 inch from the oil pressure sender. And I've taken the thermostat out to troubleshoot overheating (was indeed a bad thermostat) and run for weeks without one while waiting for a new one. If you suspect a stuck one, take it out and drive the car for a comparison. Not recommended for long time use though. Say months at a time. Get a used radiator if your short of cash. Just hope the poor boob didn't put any radiator sealer in it. I've got a wrecking yard radiator in my 87 and it runs in the lower quarter in the summer in Texas.
Old 04-16-02, 08:54 PM
  #19  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
Angel Guard Racing Team's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Puerto Rico Land Of The Fastest Rotaries
Posts: 975
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Get rid of it and then stick a piece of wood in the hole inside the fuel pump (broomhandle will do). My temp does not even get close to the halfway mark.
Old 04-16-02, 10:15 PM
  #20  
I came, I saw, I boosted.

 
Bambam7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Stick a broomhandle in the FUEL pump.
Now THERE'S the way to fix an overheating car! It won't run!!
Old 04-16-02, 11:53 PM
  #21  
I'm a boost creep...

 
NZConvertible's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 15,608
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally posted by Angel Guard Racing Team
Get rid of it and then stick a piece of wood in the hole inside the fuel pump (broomhandle will do). My temp does not even get close to the halfway mark.
if you've read anything I've written above, you'll know keeping the temps down is only part of the thermostat's job, and how stupid that suggestion is...
Old 04-17-02, 12:05 AM
  #22  
Senior Member

 
Ranzo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Memphis, Japan
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

RANZO.....the water temp sensor is in the rear side housing approx 1/2 inch from the oil pressure sender. And I've taken the thermostat out to troubleshoot overheating (was indeed a bad thermostat) and run for weeks without one while waiting for a new one. If you suspect a stuck one, take it out and drive the car for a comparison. Not recommended for long time use though. Say months at a time. Get a used radiator if your short of cash. Just hope the poor boob didn't put any radiator sealer in it. I've got a wrecking yard radiator in my 87 and it runs in the lower quarter in the summer in Texas.
Hmm thanks for the info. I have always wondered what that plug was. On the Japanese engines they are different shapes between Zenki and Kouki. I have ran 87-88 model engines in 90-92 model cars and could not connect the connector but the guage still worked.

What is the wire for that comes out of the top of the radiator??
Old 04-17-02, 12:08 AM
  #23  
I'm a boost creep...

 
NZConvertible's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 15,608
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally posted by Ranzo
What is the wire for that comes out of the top of the radiator??
Coolant level. It operates the "add coolant" idiot light and buzzer.
Old 04-17-02, 01:12 AM
  #24  
rawr

iTrader: (2)
 
Agent_D's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Silver City, NM
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ive been runing mine without one for like 6 or 7 months, the gauge NEVER goes over 1/4 even under racing and high speed conditions, during normal driving it will barely clear the C

only side effect i noticed with removing it was the car takes a tad bit longer to start
Old 04-17-02, 03:04 AM
  #25  
I'm a boost creep...

 
NZConvertible's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 15,608
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally posted by Agent_D
the gauge NEVER goes over 1/4 even under racing and high speed conditions, during normal driving it will barely clear the C
That is BAD for your engine!


Quick Reply: Anyone drivin without there thermostat?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:07 PM.