Thermostat operation question....

[lrdchaos]

Probably a basic question but I’m wondering about the thermostat on my 5.0mpi. According to my gauge it opens somewhere around 170ish maybe 180, when it finally opens does it stay open all the time while running or will it open and close?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... The t-stat is constantly opennin', 'n closin',....

 

[Scott Danforth]

the t-stat also starts to creep open earlier than its rating. it is fully open at what ever rating it has, and as Bondo mentioned as the water is constantly re-replenished in the motor, the t-stat will open and close as needed to regulate temperature.

the mechanism that operates a t-stat is a wax pellet that expands as its heated

 

[lrdchaos]

Is there some way to tell if it’s open? The reason I ask is because I’m going to winterize my boat for the first time this year and I’ve been watching videos. I get pulling the drain plugs but I see most people just run their engine until the thermostat opens and they switch to antifreeze. Other that the engine hitting the required temp how do they know that the t-Star is actually open?

 

[Scott Danforth]

stop......

to winterize your boat - read the factory manual
the manual states
warm engine up
change oil and filter
drain all water (manifolds, block, intake manifold, hoses)

you are now winterized

it also goes on to state you should pull the drive for inspection, etc.

now a side bar note in the manual does state the following: optional, for long-term storage, antifreeze may be added with a funnel at the thermostat housing

nowhere in the manual does it say to attempt to suck up antifreeze. because that system can not work unless you drained everything prior because the thermostat will slam shut the moment cooler water or AF hits it and it will simply go out the exhaust.

the process of attempting to suck up antifreeze from muffs only does 2 things. it spends $28 of your money in the fall to buy the kit that doesnt work. not to mention about $65 worth of antifreeze that has now run out your exhaust, yet never made it to the motor
it spends thousands of dollars in the spring to replace your motor because it froze and busted. and no, your insurance does not cover improperly winterized freeze damage.

 

[achris]

... but I see most people just run their engine until the thermostat opens and they switch to antifreeze. ...

Fastest way to a cracked block come spring.....

Open all the plugs and drain the water, poke them with a small screwdriver or wire and make sure all the water is out, pull the big hose at the front of the engine off and drain the water from that, drain the oil cooler (if you have one), and leave it at that....

Chris.......

 

[Bt Doctur]

Sound advice, done believe everything you read and see on the net. More cracked blocks have resulted from these winterizing videos done incorrectly because their too lazy to do it the correct way.

 

[tpenfield]

Is there some way to tell if it’s open? The reason I ask is because I’m going to winterize my boat for the first time this year and I’ve been watching videos. I get pulling the drain plugs but I see most people just run their engine until the thermostat opens and they switch to antifreeze. Other that the engine hitting the required temp how do they know that the t-Star is actually open?

The truth is that the don't know for sure it the thermostat is open. Many of these folks post about milky oil the next season and eventually come to the realization that they cracked the block by inadequate winterizing.

Most people don't understand the details of how water flows through a marine engine . They wrongly assume that 5 gallons of AF going it means 5 gallons of water coming out. It does not . . . and typically, they leave a diluted solution of water & AF inside the engine, only to have it freeze solid at about 10 degrees F.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... As noted above,........... Air just Don't freeze,.....