what will happen if i run my 1998 chevy blazer without the thermostat in it?
Asked by kimjohn64 Mar 31, 2014 at 03:24 PM about the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer LS 2-Door 4WD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My chevy blazer 1998 is leaking a little water out sometimes it will need a quart
sometimes a gallon of water. sometimes it will leak when i start it sometimes when i turn it
off. i replaced the thermostat almost 2 years ago i wanted to test the thermast
4 Answers
Without a thermostat, the cooling system will be free to circulate before it gets up to temperature in the block. The function of the thermostat is to hold the water in the block until it gets up to the rated temperature, then upon opening, the water will then circulate. The engine will probably never get up to temperature or take a very long time.. I have never done it to be honest.
The thermostat itself will not leak, but maybe the housing or gasket around it. I wouldn't suspect your thermostat but probably a more vital part leaking. Can you see where the water is coming out?
running without a thermostat in most computer controled vehicles result in less fuel mileage and a rich condition becasue it never warms up so it is constantly trying to warm up. There are a few other downsides as well. The termostat itself doesn't leak as it sits inside the housing. The housing or a hose might but not the thermostat.
Try to find where the leak is coming from. Start with the hoses, connections and water pump. The radiator may have a small leak or crack in it, or even the plastic radiator housings. Make sure the oil is not milky in color as that may indicate a head gasket is leaking fluid into the motor. The best way is to locate where the water puddle is coming from from under the car, and start there, going up as water obeys the laws of gravity and flows down hill if left to it'sown devices.
