Broke down - limping home - Can I be without thermostat?

[Veg_Out]

Friends,

I have a goofy leak at the gasket between the head and the thermostat housing on my 95 BURB. I've pulled the thermostat to try to reduce the pressure, filled her up with water and drove another 20 miles. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to go for another 100 miles to get home. Will top off, and go for it, watching gauges like I always do.

Am I damaging anything running such low temperatures, without the thermostat?

Thank you. I was on a huge Easter road trip, bragging to my family about how great these old diesels can be, and wow, they run on waste veggie oil, blah blah blah, whammo, broken down.

Special thanks to Turbine Doc and Bill Heath for their mental support today. Wife and children on board.

New Toyota sounding better all the time!

 

[Chevylover]

What are the outside temps, where you're located actually and on your way home ? If around 50°F or higher, there will be no problem without thermostat. Most people in florida drive without one the whole year. But generally, there should be no problem - the only things could/would be a higher fuel consumption / lee MPG due to a "colder" engine.

Cu,
Sven

 

[Veg_Out]

Outside 29 right now. Headed to Boise, maybe 50 when I get there.

 

[Matt Bachand]

I'd Go for it too. Eyes on guage, with plenty of extra water with me.

Do you really want a vehicle payment for a YOTA? I almost said truck payment... wasn't sure if that would be an oxymoron with the word toyota.

 

[Acesneights1]

No therm can atcually overheat the engine. Coolant travels too quickly to absorb heat. If your not towing or pushing hard should be OK. Fix asap but should get you home.

 

[Veg_Out]

I find myself home, after the journey, safe and sound. Had to top off water eve 25 miles.

Gaskets in hand will repair tomorrow.

Thanks to all!

 

[Goldsburg]

Okay, I am thoroughly confused...

You made it home safely, that is great!

Did you take the thermostat out? That should have resulted in an overheat condition, as the bypass will not be blocked AND the pressure drop to force water over the radiator is greater than the pressure drop through the bypass. Since the pressure drop through the bypass is lower, the vast majority of your coolant should have been "short-circuiting" back into the block (causing the rapid overheat). Was this the case? Am I missing something?

This bypass is how our engines warm up in the winter and when the thermostat opens, it blocks the bypass...

In the future, if you want to reduce pressure in the system, partially remove the radiator cap. There is a "pressure release" position on all pressurized caps that will vent off pressure (prior to removal). This will keep the block pressure to a minimum.

Regards,

 

[Veg_Out]

Okay, I am thoroughly confused...

You made it home safely, that is great!

Did you take the thermostat out? That should have resulted in an overheat condition, as the bypass will not be blocked AND the pressure drop to force water over the radiator is greater than the pressure drop through the bypass. Since the pressure drop through the bypass is lower, the vast majority of your coolant should have been "short-circuiting" back into the block (causing the rapid overheat). Was this the case? Am I missing something?

This bypass is how our engines warm up in the winter and when the thermostat opens, it blocks the bypass...

In the future, if you want to reduce pressure in the system, partially remove the radiator cap. There is a "pressure release" position on all pressurized caps that will vent off pressure (prior to removal). This will keep the block pressure to a minimum.

Regards,

She kept cool, then as the water continued to leak out through the blow gasket, temps would heat up. When they did, I'd pull over and fill her up. What a trip.

 

[Goldsburg]

That's good info to know, as this means that the pressure drop across the radiator is less than that of the bypass (at whatever flow rate).

Thanks,