How bad can it be without a thermostat on Carvan 2000.Im so way out here in the country side and I cant find anyone with a thermostat. It is 89Fdegree here so should that be ok with out a thermostat.
Plus I can find atf+4 for is atf+3 good enough for my carvan.
Appreciate any sugggestion guys.
mcmotors
05-09-2006, 10:25 PM
The thermostat not only regulates the temperature, it also restricts the water from flowing too fast so it can have time to absorb heat from the metal. So you actually could overheat your engine, if running without a thermostat. Race cars don't use a thermostat, but depending on outside temperature , altitude, and track, have "washers" with different center hole diameter to regulate the flow of the circulating coolant. Many cars have a thermostat that closes one recirculating port as they heat up (open) while opening another port to let the coolant circulate thru the radiator.
Then, there is antipollution systems, that will only operate above a certain temperature, if your engine stays too cold, it will not burn fuel properly, and may be damaged because of running with bad fuel mixture for extended time.
As a short temporary fix, removing the inner parts of a thermostat is ok.
I will let someone else answer the trans fluid question, as I only have been reading posts here about it.
Jmw132001
05-09-2006, 10:32 PM
also i do not know for sure but i am thinking that the computer uses information from the thermostat as far as how much fuel it will use because it will running in closed loop or whatever it is called until it reaches operating temps and then it will recieve info from all the sensors. so if anything it will just use more gas. i think that is right but hopefully somebody else can provide a better answer. good luck
McClane
05-10-2006, 10:20 AM
I can't remember exactly what year atf+4 is req'd, I know in the older transmissions atf+3 is used but was it 2000 (??) that atf+4 was used ?
As for not using a thermostat, what everyone else said is right. Your engine will run too cold and may run poorly because of it. Plus, pray and hope you don't idle too long either, or your engine will easily overheat.
wtoti
05-11-2006, 04:55 PM
thanks Guys,guess I have to get a new one asap, but any idea why thermostat get stuck, mine does not look bad no indication at all of anything wrong, will it work again if I just throughly clean it and but it back? I desperate need hit the road now and can not wait for two week for a new part.
dodgefan360
05-11-2006, 05:44 PM
Two weeks to get a T-stat? I can go to my hardware store and get an OEM 190 degree'r for around $5. It's not worth while to clean a T-stat. I replace mine every 3 years. Better to be safe then sorry. I had one t-stat that was 8 years old on my old '92 spirit 2.5L I4 that locked itself closed cutting off my coolant flow and over heating the engine. Engine light came on almost instantly and I shut the engine off while on the highway. Outcome was that my head was warped from the excess engine heat...all for a $5 part!
mcmotors
05-11-2006, 07:30 PM
I beleive that a thermostat has brass and another metal (bimetal) that react to heat at different rate. Similar to a thermometer, mercury, expanding with heat. The internal parts of the thermostat get "scratched" or "friction" everytime the thermostat changes temperature, and moves. Sooner or later, depending on the quality of fabrication, the bore of the cylinder is scored enough, not to allow the piston movement.
Some thermostat also loose their calibration with time, or if used at a higher temperature range than they were inteded for. Others get coated with oil or other deposits and don't sense the temperature precisely,
I would advise you to get a quality thermostat, as for everything else, you get what you pay for...
For now, if you need your van while waiting for the part, you can cut the 2 little arms, next to the springs, on the bottom side, and remove the center part of the thermostat. THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX.
You could probably ask your dealer or parts store to mail you a new one, if you pay in advance including shipping with a credit card, unless you don't have mail service either ? A deserted island ? let me know if you move out... Only joking...
