7 replies to this topic

[Jones996]

Hi all,

Just a quick question as title asks isit ok to run the engine without a thermostat.

Only reason I ask, me being stupid rebuild the top end back up after a head gasket change the other day and forgot to put the thermostat back in and I'm using the top engine steady that goes the thermostat side which in my opinion is a nightmare lining up and fitting so I don't particularly want to strip it all back down again changing and cleansing the gasket back off the housing ect.
The car will never be run in the cold weather and only when the suns out!
Any answers be great! :)
Cheers

[AGRO_RB]

I ran without in my first mini for the full time I owned it and it was fine, ideally though, you'd want to fit a blanking plug to help with flow through the head and housing...

 

That does of course mean stripping your steady back off again

[Jones996]

I ran without in my first mini for the full time I owned it and it was fine, ideally though, you'd want to fit a blanking plug to help with flow through the head and housing...
 
That does of course mean stripping your steady back off again

Thanks for the comment, so should be alright then! :)
Yeah I know really you shouldn't run it with anything in but I've had so much hassle with that steady and I've stripped no ends of studs on the stat housing in the head (so annoying!!!) Was hoping I could get away without it.

[Dan]

Your engine will take longer to warm up increasing wear and cylinders 3 and 4 will run hot, particularly the area between them where the gasket is thin and weak already. The engine temperature will be prone to wander a bit.

[Fast Ivan]

not really a good idea to run a car without the thermostat

[AGRO_RB]

Yes thermostat housing studs are a nightmare, I've snapped a few now, gave up and just bought stainless ones.

 

Maybe next time you do a service or whatever, commit to refitting a thermostat, or a blanking plug, just to save yourself bigger hassles later on :)

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As Dan says, it's really not a good idea. Some poor advice given above

[Cooperman]

Running without a thermostat causes poor coolant flow around cylinder no.4 and to a lesser degree no.3.

Competition Minis often run without a thermostat to improve reliability, but a thermostat blanking sleeve is always fitted to ensure coolant flow around all cylinders.

Very unwise to run without a stat or a blanking sleeve for any length of time.