Can I take out my Thermostats?

[Johsnson Outboarder]

Seems like taking out my Thermostats would keep my engine cool with no risk of ever letting it get too hot. is it safe to take them both out and run the boat like that?

 

[dingbat]

Seems like taking out my Thermostats would keep my engine cool with no risk of ever letting it get too hot. is it safe to take them both out and run the boat like that?

Nope....running a 2 stroke under operating temp creates a whole different set of problems

 

[JerEazy]

Nope....running a 2 stroke under operating temp creates a whole different set of problems

This - leaving them open will keep the engine cool, always. And you want it warming up to operating temperature.

 

[Johsnson Outboarder]

I see. Is a broken Thermostat capable of shutting off spark distribution? My engine shut off after 20 minutes on the water. No spark at all until it cooled down in my garage.

 

[racerone]

Care to mention what motor you have ?

 

[Johsnson Outboarder]

Johnson 130 HP 1996 Model J130TLEDM

 

[racerone]

I believe removing thermostats would be a mistake.

 

[Vic.S]

Seems like taking out my Thermostats would keep my engine cool with no risk of ever letting it get too hot. is it safe to take them both out and run the boat like that?

If you suspect that a defective thermostat is causing overheating you can test them by slowly heating them while suspended in a container of water with a thermometer as described in the workshop manual. They should start to open at 125 F and be fully open at about 140 F

 

[F_R]

While it is possible, it is really rare that thermostats fail in closed position. Almost always fail in open position.

 

[Johsnson Outboarder]

While it is possible, it is really rare that thermostats fail in closed position. Almost always fail in open position.

Good to know, thanks! They're $13 each so I ordered them. Anxious to try but definitely staying close to the boat ramp the next time I launch.

 

[Vic.S]

Good to know, thanks! They're $13 each so I ordered them. Anxious to try but definitely staying close to the boat ramp the next time I launch.

You have ordered new thermostats without inspecting , checking or testing the existing ones ?

 

[Johsnson Outboarder]

I checked the thermostats when I removed them and the pin that extracts fell out on both of them once the water got hot enough for them to come out. I didn’t want to take a chance and leave them in there since they’re so inexpensive. I doubt they’d been replaced before.

 

[Johsnson Outboarder]

Here’s a picture of them.