Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - does a thermostat cause extra strain on the waterpump?

2000mc · 12-06-2014, 07:43 PM

The water pump does not produce significant pressure, the pressure in your cooling system comes from the expansion at the coolant heats up. The thermostat opens according to temperature, not pressure. A small capsule inside expands as heated, it is used against the spring that holds the thermostat closed. You can put a thermostat in a pan of water and heat it on your stove and watch it open.

You will get better mileage with a thermostat operating at the correct temperture than none at all. Even if air flow through the radiator was perfectly controlled, you would still have a longer warm up time

12-06-2014, 07:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
2000mc herp derp Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 1,049 Saturn-sold - '99 saturn sc1 Team Saturn 90 day: 28.28 mpg (US) Yukon - '03 GMC Yukon Denali 90 day: 13.74 mpg (US) Thanks: 43 Thanked 331 Times in 233 Posts	The water pump does not produce significant pressure, the pressure in your cooling system comes from the expansion at the coolant heats up. The thermostat opens according to temperature, not pressure. A small capsule inside expands as heated, it is used against the spring that holds the thermostat closed. You can put a thermostat in a pan of water and heat it on your stove and watch it open. You will get better mileage with a thermostat operating at the correct temperture than none at all. Even if air flow through the radiator was perfectly controlled, you would still have a longer warm up time Last edited by 2000mc; 12-06-2014 at 07:48 PM..