For regulating the radiator coolant’s temperature and circulation needed by the engine, the thermostat plays a vital role. Most car owners will suggest removing the engine thermostat from the cooling system when the engine overheats.
Can You Remove The Thermostat In A Car?
A thermostat is responsible for ensuring the engine is running at its optimal temperature.. If you are removing your working thermostat, this will result in high fuel consumption, premature engine wear, and even bore wash. Therefore, it is highly advisable that you should not consider removing it if it is working fine.
Many people remove the thermostat to control overheating. Some common problems associated with overheating are:
- Clogged radiator.
- Blown head gasket.
- Inoperative cooling fan.
If you are facing these problems, then instead of removing the thermostat do contact a professional car repair service as they will be able to help you out effectively without removing the thermostat.
5 Effects Of Removing Thermostat From A Car
1. Overheating Problem Worsens
Many people tend to remove a thermostat to overcome overheating problems. However, removing it from your car can make an overheating problem even worse.
A thermostat is known for creating a small restriction in the cooling system. This enables the coolant to take on more heat.
So if you remove it, you are removing the restriction. As a result, the coolant flows faster increasing the engine temperature by taking on less heat.
2. High Fuel Consumption
If a thermostat is removed from the car, then you have to deal with fuel consumption becoming more wasteful. There will be high fuel consumption because of the cooling system’s failure to maintain optimal engine working temperature.
The coolant uses more fuel to cool the engine that is far below the normal temperature. So if you remove the thermostat, the CTS (Coolant Temperature Sensor) will release more fuel than the standard quantity to make the car work optimally.
3. High Emission
As there will be high fuel consumption due to the removal of a thermostat from your car, you will have to deal with high emissions as well.
As more fuel is injected into the engine than what was generally needed, the quantity and rate of emission by that car will also increase.
4. Wear And Tear
There will be no way of controlling the internal temperature of the engine once the thermostat is removed. This will result in inconsistent cooling and heating of the different engine parts made up of different materials like fiber gaskets, aluminum pistons, rubber seals, iron blocks, and so on.
This irregular heating and cooling will ultimately lead to wear and tear of the engine parts that will lead to major engine leaks and other such unwanted instances.
High fuel consumption can also lead to the wear and tear of the car’s engine. The high level of consumption may cause washing off the oil from the cylinder bores. This will result in bore-washing which will lead to wearing and tearing of the car’s engine.
5. Increased Maintenance Cost
Due to the removal of the thermostat, there will be wearing and tearing of the engine parts. As a result, you will be bound to spend more than the standard amount to maintain your car.
From replacing leaking seals to buying worn parts to the cost of refueling, you have to bear a lot of different expenses that can be avoided to some extent if you do not remove the thermostat.
Pros & Cons Of Removing Thermostat
Pros:
Temperature Gauge Reading Lower Or Higher Than Normal
If the thermostat is stuck closed, then the temperature gauge will keep on rising until it reached the maximum point (hot end) of the gauge reader.
If you keep on driving in this condition then surely your car will be affected negatively. You can pull over to cool the engine down. If the problem still persists, then you may need to remove the thermostat and replace it with a working one.
On the other hand, if the thermostat is stuck open, then it will take a longer time to reach the normal mid-point (optimal) temperature on the gauge. You can increase the heater.
If warm air is not blowing out of the vent to fix this problem, then chances are you have a faulty thermostat at hand which needs replacement.
Coolant Leaking
If the faulty thermostat is staying in a closed position, then you might have to deal with coolant leaking. The coolant normally flows towards the engine when it is running hot. If the thermostat is closed then a blockage will be created. This will cause the coolant to overflow.
Eventually, there will be leaks in your coolant hoses. You will notice red-ish or green-ish liquid coming out of the car and staining the surface underneath the car. In such a situation, replacing the thermostat is a must.
Cons:
Shaky Engine
When you remove the thermostat, the engine finds difficulty in achieving its normal working temperature. As a result, the first thing you will notice will be a shaking engine. When the coolant temperature is still relatively cold, you will experience engine shakes.
If the engine does not reach the optimal temperature, then it will result in an imbalance in the fuel supply entering the engine cylinder. As a result, you will be left with a stronger vibration in the engine that will cause the engine to shake.
Engine Knocking
Besides the shakes, you will also experience the appearance of knocking on the engine if the thermostat is removed. When the temperature of the engine exceeds the normal limit but still has not entered the overheating phase, then this can cause the engine to stall.
Due to the compressed fuel inside the engine exploding before igniting by the spark plug, knocking of the engine occurs.
Is Removing Thermostat Bad?
A faulty thermostat requires immediate replacement. You only need to replace the thermostat if it is stuck in the closed or opened position.
However, they tend to last for years generally. Thus, you need to truly be confident that your thermostat needs replacement.
There is the option to replace the thermostat when you are having cooling system maintenance performed. You can consult with the professional on this matter.
Overheated engine, failure of the cabin heater to perform accurately, and turning ON/OFF the check engine light are some giveaways that you need thermostat replacement. However, let a professional go through the entire cooling system to determine the root of the problem you are facing.
Is It Ok To Run An Engine Without A Thermostat?
If you remove the thermostat and continue driving, humidity or moisture will form. It will turn into watery ice (slush) as the moisture or humidity mixes with the oil after it condenses. As the slush can block out lubrication which leads to wear and tear of the engine, it is advisable to not run your car if the thermostat is not present.
Best Way Of Taking Thermostat Out Of Car
The first thing that you need to do is locate the thermostat in your car. You need to follow your radiator hose to locate it. Once located, remove the clamp.
Do ensure to place a bucket (2-gallon) under the area you will be working on to catch the liquid that will come out. The liquid will come out when you pull off the hose. You need to return the fluid to the radiator once you are finished with the job.
Blots will be holding the thermostat housing in place. You need to remove it to lift out the old thermostat. You will need a thermostat and a gasket that will fit perfectly.
After this, lay the new gasket in place and then replace the bolts. You have to place the spring-side down.
It is highly recommended that you take the help of a professional if you are facing any difficulties.
Conclusion:
You should not remove the thermostat. However, the faulty thermostat needs immediate replacement. Do consult with a professional as they will be able to educate you and provide the exact help you are in need of.