Re: Packard overheat

Posted by DavidM On 2010/7/20 3:58:21

That theory about excessive speed of water through the radiator is a myth even though it comes up often. The speed of coolant through a heat exchanger or the source of the heat does not effect of the efficiency of cooling (within some very wide bands). However what can happen is removal of the thermostat can reduce the resistance of the water flow from the pump which may can cause the pump to cavitate preventing the water from flowing.
The thermostat is there to speed up the warm up time of the motor and to maintain a constant water temperature particularly in cooler weather.
If the car is over heating its not the thermostat unless of course it has jammed closed.