Rover P5b with no thermostat
Discussion
Bit of an odd situation, and one for the Rover beards to ponder.
I've got a 1973 P5B Coupe that had an engine swap around 7 or 8 years ago before my ownership. The engine has done about 4,000 miles in that time. Recently as I was driving I had a coolant hose develop a leak. Before that the temperature gauge was sometimes running into the red but coming down rapidly as the kenlowe fan engaged. I thought I may have had a stuck thermostat so purchased a replacement and just needed time (and space) to fit it.
I've taken the car to the garage to have all the hoses replaced, coolant replacement and for them to fit the thermostat. On picking the car up it appears there was no thermostat in place and trying to fit one will not allow the thermostat housing to seal. Clearly there's a problem - it's likely to be related to the replacement engine as several spares I've ordered (points, bolts, hoses etc) have been problematic when fitted - if they fitted at all.
A couple of questions arise.
1) Any major problems running without a thermostat? It's probably only going to be doing 2-2500 miles per annum.
2) Knowing the sheer number of 3.5 litre V8 variants around I could have one from anywhere. Is there a resource for identifying which one I've got? I'll have to delve into the engine bay to find a serial number.
SD.
I've got a 1973 P5B Coupe that had an engine swap around 7 or 8 years ago before my ownership. The engine has done about 4,000 miles in that time. Recently as I was driving I had a coolant hose develop a leak. Before that the temperature gauge was sometimes running into the red but coming down rapidly as the kenlowe fan engaged. I thought I may have had a stuck thermostat so purchased a replacement and just needed time (and space) to fit it.
I've taken the car to the garage to have all the hoses replaced, coolant replacement and for them to fit the thermostat. On picking the car up it appears there was no thermostat in place and trying to fit one will not allow the thermostat housing to seal. Clearly there's a problem - it's likely to be related to the replacement engine as several spares I've ordered (points, bolts, hoses etc) have been problematic when fitted - if they fitted at all.
A couple of questions arise.
1) Any major problems running without a thermostat? It's probably only going to be doing 2-2500 miles per annum.
2) Knowing the sheer number of 3.5 litre V8 variants around I could have one from anywhere. Is there a resource for identifying which one I've got? I'll have to delve into the engine bay to find a serial number.
SD.
In addition to rapid warming up of & keeping the engine at optimum temperature the stat also affects the routing of flow through the system.
No stat will usually overcool & you will use more fuel - esp on EFi engines as the ecu will 'see' the engine as cold & increase fuelling accordingly.
Stat removal is an old ploy used by unscrupulous sellers to try & hide the vehicle having an overheating problem.
There are some poor pattern stats around.
As said, a pic of your setup might help.
No stat will usually overcool & you will use more fuel - esp on EFi engines as the ecu will 'see' the engine as cold & increase fuelling accordingly.
Stat removal is an old ploy used by unscrupulous sellers to try & hide the vehicle having an overheating problem.
There are some poor pattern stats around.
As said, a pic of your setup might help.
Without a thermostat the engine temperature will be swinging up and down all the time as the load, revs, speed and air temp change. That's adding to the engine stresses.
Without a stat the engine will take much longer to come up to temperature (and may never do it in some situations), which means it will be running cold more of the time. Running cold is very bad for the engine.
Without a stat the engine will take much longer to come up to temperature (and may never do it in some situations), which means it will be running cold more of the time. Running cold is very bad for the engine.
You would think a P5b that only does 2.5k a year is only coming out to play in the warm summer months.
So no major drama with no stat, but as others have said, will take much longer to warm up and running the engine cold isn't good for it. There's a reason there's a thermostat fitted!
So no major drama with no stat, but as others have said, will take much longer to warm up and running the engine cold isn't good for it. There's a reason there's a thermostat fitted!
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