burning oil?

[list@cemetery.homeunix.org (Andrew Basterfield)]

On Tue, 25 Feb 2003 03:49:24 +0000
"Michael Abatzis" <abatzis2@hotmail.com> wrote:

> i've never understood this logic. let's for a moment assume that
> coolant temp in a warmed up engine is >100' (which i think is valid).
> at this point, both low and hi temp tstats are open, and coolant is
> going through both radiators. how are these two engines different at
> this point, and why would they run at different operating temps? yes,
> the lo temp stat would open earlier (say 70'), which may mean that it
> takes the engine longer to reach it's max operating temp, but i say it
> would still equilibrate at the same operating temp.

The radiator should be capable of dissipating more heat than the engine
can give it. This means at 'normal' temperature and 'normal' load the
thermostat isn't fully open - it can open a little more. Once the
thermostat is fully open it looses all ability to regulate the
temperature, and the coolant temp becomes the equilibrium point between
the heat the engine gives off and the heat the rad can dissipate.

If you have a choked rust filled radiator putting in a low temp
thermostat won't help. You will need a larger capacity radiator as well
as a low-temp thermostat to reduce the coolant temperature.

--Andrew