Ever test a thermostat? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

In The Ten Ring · 10-22-2017, 09:23 PM

Dad and I removed the thermostat today in preparation for flushing the water jacket. He suggested I boil it to test it.

It opened just after boiling temp was reached and closed once removed from the water. I won't have to buy a new one.

Anyone else ever do this?

rockyrivermark · 10-22-2017, 09:25 PM

Yeah. I did that years ago.
For $6.00 when in doubt I just change them now.

In The Ten Ring · 10-22-2017, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockyrivermark

Yeah. I did that years ago.
For $6.00 when in doubt I just change them now.

Haha, I got paid 6 bucks then.

**painterljp** · 10-22-2017, 09:48 PM

Heck I boil the brand new ones before putting them in. . Just so I can rule that out as a problem. They don't make parts like they used to. Everything comes from overseas. Last one I bought was 10 I think. So your truck paid you back.

**special-K** · 10-22-2017, 10:19 PM

It should open before water boils. That's what they are for. You need a thermometer to test one. I run 180 degree in my trucks

**truckster** · 10-22-2017, 10:20 PM

It should open before the boiling point. Most engines like to run between 172 and 195 degrees. Even at my altitude water doesn't boil before 200 degrees.

**jocko** · 10-22-2017, 10:30 PM

I test em, just to provide 1 less piece to troubleshoot when everything's back together and something ELSE isn't working

**mongocanfly** · 10-22-2017, 10:34 PM

dad used to do it that way with a thermometer in the water..

In The Ten Ring · 10-22-2017, 11:11 PM

Mom didn't have a thermometer. It is marked "195" but I doubt they are all exact.

toolboxchev · 10-22-2017, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

Haha, I got paid 6 bucks then.

x2 on that. Even the new ones I boil then run cold water on em to break em in good.

GRX · 10-23-2017, 06:34 AM

Yep. Not really testing unless a thermometer is used to compare with the designated opening temp.

I test every one before install. Can only think of two that were off. One opened at 195 instead of 180. The other at 160. Obviously wrong thermal spring from manufacturer.

**special-K** · 10-23-2017, 08:04 AM

I guess I haven't tested one in a long time. Testing a new one can save one unnecessary R&R, but once in you can test if they are opening or not by the pressure in the top radiator hose and/or observing flow in radiator once installed

oldasi · 10-25-2017, 08:41 AM

Just bought a spare to have and tested it. I use a candy temp gauge in the pot, hang stat so its not sitting on bottom of pot, watch temp gauge to see when temp gets to temp of stat, stat was a 195 degree, stat fully opened at 200, closed quickly as I removed from water

10-22-2017, 09:23 PM	#1
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,421	Ever test a thermostat? Dad and I removed the thermostat today in preparation for flushing the water jacket. He suggested I boil it to test it. It opened just after boiling temp was reached and closed once removed from the water. I won't have to buy a new one. Anyone else ever do this? Attached Images

10-22-2017, 09:25 PM	#2
rockyrivermark Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Fairview Park, Ohio Posts: 1,031	Re: Ever test a thermostat? Yeah. I did that years ago. For $6.00 when in doubt I just change them now. __________________ My build page http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=764662 My cabinet building site http://www.cbcabinets.com

10-22-2017, 09:48 PM	#4
painterljp Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 903	Re: Ever test a thermostat? Heck I boil the brand new ones before putting them in. . Just so I can rule that out as a problem. They don't make parts like they used to. Everything comes from overseas. Last one I bought was 10 I think. So your truck paid you back.

10-22-2017, 10:19 PM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Ever test a thermostat? It should open before water boils. That's what they are for. You need a thermometer to test one. I run 180 degree in my trucks __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-22-2017, 10:20 PM	#6
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,824	Re: Ever test a thermostat? It should open before the boiling point. Most engines like to run between 172 and 195 degrees. Even at my altitude water doesn't boil before 200 degrees. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

10-22-2017, 10:30 PM	#7
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,937	Re: Ever test a thermostat? I test em, just to provide 1 less piece to troubleshoot when everything's back together and something ELSE isn't working

10-22-2017, 10:34 PM	#8
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,601	Re: Ever test a thermostat? dad used to do it that way with a thermometer in the water..

10-22-2017, 11:11 PM	#9
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,421	Re: Ever test a thermostat? Mom didn't have a thermometer. It is marked "195" but I doubt they are all exact.

10-23-2017, 06:34 AM	#11
GRX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,937	Re: Ever test a thermostat? Yep. Not really testing unless a thermometer is used to compare with the designated opening temp. I test every one before install. Can only think of two that were off. One opened at 195 instead of 180. The other at 160. Obviously wrong thermal spring from manufacturer. __________________ 1969 c-10 Step Side Long Bed. I-6 250cid = = 1969 Pontiac GTO hard top. 400, 4-speed.

10-23-2017, 08:04 AM	#12
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Ever test a thermostat? I guess I haven't tested one in a long time. Testing a new one can save one unnecessary R&R, but once in you can test if they are opening or not by the pressure in the top radiator hose and/or observing flow in radiator once installed __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-25-2017, 08:41 AM	#13
oldasi Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oakwood, Ontario, Canada Posts: 28	Re: Ever test a thermostat? Just bought a spare to have and tested it. I use a candy temp gauge in the pot, hang stat so its not sitting on bottom of pot, watch temp gauge to see when temp gets to temp of stat, stat was a 195 degree, stat fully opened at 200, closed quickly as I removed from water



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