Nuts and Bolts with Buffalo Jim

Dear Buffalo,

I have a 1992 Ford Escort LX with a thermostat stuck in the open position. I was going to change it out for a new one, but my friend told me I could just take it out altogether and the car would cool off faster during the summer months. Is that right?

You may want to thump your pal with a crescent wrench, but I want to pat him on the back because this is exactly the kind of advice that keeps us busy at the shop. First, let's take a look at his logic. He's suggesting that the thermostat blocks coolant flow from the engine to the radiator, and if you remove that bottleneck, your car will run cooler. So far so good, right?

Wrong. Not only does the thermostat determine when coolant should flow to the radiator, it's also there to help restrict the amount of coolant flowing through the radiator. If you take the thermostat out of the system entirely, you'll end up running hotter in the extreme heat because coolant will pass through the radiator too quickly and the cooling system won't have time to do its job. Then you've got overheating, blown gaskets, cracked heads, a lot of cursing and a bunch of ugly, expensive repairs.

Now that's not to say that there aren't options if you're not getting enough cooling out of your current system. I'm not sure about your Escort, but you might be able to find an aftermarket thermostat or radiator with increased flow capacity. Remember: There's nothing wrong with pushing volume, just so long as the coolant stays in the system long enough to cool off. See a knowledgeable parts person and find out what's available for your make and model. And definitely don't listen to your friend's automotive advice anymore, bro--not unless he's going to loan you his car while yours is in the shop.

Buffalo Jim is the owner of Allstate Auto Marine. While he cannot help you get in touch with your inner child, he can answer your automotive queries when you e-mail him at buffalojim@lasvegasmercury.com.