Thermostat

[Bit of Both]

Hi

I live in a country where we do not have very low temperatures. My question is whether it is necessary to have a thermostat fitted. The engine runs much cooler without the thermostat.
Thanks

[MarkyB]

It doesn't do the engine any favours to run at less than optimum temperature for any longer than it must.

[mike.perry]

The job of the thermostat is to keep the engine hot

[lambrettalad]

switch the heater off by fitting a tap so the pipes get no supply ,easy to say harder to do

[IslipMinor]

Where are you and what temperature does it run at, with and without a thermostat?

Without a thermostat the cooling at the front of the engine can take a 'short circuit', so one should always be fitted, unless you fit what is called a 'blanking sleeve'. It doesn't actually 'blank' anything, but it is used in competition sometimes and makes sure that the water flow does not take a short circuit.

If you have a heater fitted, then leave the tap open to allow the water to flow freely around the back of the engine. Easy to say with a convertible, maybe not so clever with a saloon or traveller?

We do have an uprated core fitted to the radiator, but even in ~40°C temperatures in Italy last year, the water temperature stayed around 90°C in traffic. We have an 82°C thermostat fitted all year round, and the electric fan (no mechanical blades) kicks in at ~85°C.