does a thermostat cause extra strain on the waterpump?

[Chrysler kid]

Noticed my temps were always cool, 1 tick abo e min cold at all times. I belive my thermostat has failed or that the previous owner never put one back in because my car had water and not coolant in it.


Was thinking about putting in a new thermostat but got to thinking it could decrease my gas mileage.

If a waterpump spins and produces 17psi of pressure and the thermostat build pressure to 36psi before it releases small amounts of fluid then the pump has to endure extra strain to move the water because energy is lost by the thermostat blocking the line

Thoughts? Or does a thermostat only open at a minimal pressure difference? Holding one in my hand it takes quite a bit of pressure to open which makes me think the waterpump is drawing extra energy to move the fluid since the thermostat is blocking flow

Basically running a full adjustable grill block and no thermostat would be a more effecting way to build heat and conserve energy being drawn from the waterpump once the car is at normal operating temperatures. Once you're cruising at highway speeds the waterpump is still being restricted by the thermostat to stay at a certain system pressure

[freebeard]

Personally, I don't think corrosive liquids has business anywhere near an engine. That said, any hit on mileage could potentially be offset by repair costs.

I suspect sensor failure.

[2000mc]

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

[JRMichler]

+1 to what 2000mc said.

Also, the pump is moving water even when the thermostat is closed. The water circulates through the engine to keep the internal engine temperature even throughout.

[oil pan 4]

There is a bypass, the pump never spins, not moving coolant.