Thermostat Myth
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From: Durham, NC
How stupid is this thread? We have 2 grown men arguing over the operation of a thermostat, and one of them acting extremely... juvenile.
Move on and get over it.
Bob, Rich has already acknowledged that a thermostat needs to stay closed to keep the vehicle at optimum operating temp. What more do you want? He is absolutely correct. IF the thermostat was to stay open, or non-existant in the cooling system, the vehicle would likely never reach operating temp. What else are you trying to argue about? From the confrontational vibe of your posts ("Rich this, Rich that"), it seems you're just fishing for drama.
I like the photos you post Bob (or used to post, have not seen any recently but I have not been online much). Apparently you hold a grudge against Rich for whatever was argued about before. Maybe it's time to get over that, or keep it to yourself?
Move on and get over it.
Bob, Rich has already acknowledged that a thermostat needs to stay closed to keep the vehicle at optimum operating temp. What more do you want? He is absolutely correct. IF the thermostat was to stay open, or non-existant in the cooling system, the vehicle would likely never reach operating temp. What else are you trying to argue about? From the confrontational vibe of your posts ("Rich this, Rich that"), it seems you're just fishing for drama.
I like the photos you post Bob (or used to post, have not seen any recently but I have not been online much). Apparently you hold a grudge against Rich for whatever was argued about before. Maybe it's time to get over that, or keep it to yourself?
From his post (#7) in the referenced thread: "A colder stat will stay open longer and if the heat is great enough.. it won't close. Then what happens is the coolant doesn't stay in the rad long enough to cool down."
This goes totally against the working principle of the thermostat: CLOSE = HEAT, OPEN = COOL.
My photos are in the Photography forum on R-F
Bob I am not saying your theory isnt right but I have to believe Rich over you. I personally think that it was designed with both thoughts in mind. Otherwise the coolant temp would not be consistent.
Since owning a car with temp issues the amount of engineering that goes into this stuff is unreal. Just take a quick look at the 6.4L its not a simple task to evenly cool/heat that beast in every possible condition.
Also heater control valve? Where would I go about finding such a beast. So far I am pretty confident that a 2000 Lincoln navigator and a 2003 Ford Ranger do not have such, if it is its hidden inside the dash. Take a look at my recent project, I have completely dismantled both scenarios and currently hooking it all back up.
Since owning a car with temp issues the amount of engineering that goes into this stuff is unreal. Just take a quick look at the 6.4L its not a simple task to evenly cool/heat that beast in every possible condition.
Also heater control valve? Where would I go about finding such a beast. So far I am pretty confident that a 2000 Lincoln navigator and a 2003 Ford Ranger do not have such, if it is its hidden inside the dash. Take a look at my recent project, I have completely dismantled both scenarios and currently hooking it all back up.
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Level I Supporter
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Durham, NC
Bob I am not saying your theory isnt right but I have to believe Rich over you. I personally think that it was designed with both thoughts in mind. Otherwise the coolant temp would not be consistent.
Since owning a car with temp issues the amount of engineering that goes into this stuff is unreal. Just take a quick look at the 6.4L its not a simple task to evenly cool/heat that beast in every possible condition.
Also heater control valve? Where would I go about finding such a beast. So far I am pretty confident that a 2000 Lincoln navigator and a 2003 Ford Ranger do not have such, if it is its hidden inside the dash. Take a look at my recent project, I have completely dismantled both scenarios and currently hooking it all back up.
Since owning a car with temp issues the amount of engineering that goes into this stuff is unreal. Just take a quick look at the 6.4L its not a simple task to evenly cool/heat that beast in every possible condition.
Also heater control valve? Where would I go about finding such a beast. So far I am pretty confident that a 2000 Lincoln navigator and a 2003 Ford Ranger do not have such, if it is its hidden inside the dash. Take a look at my recent project, I have completely dismantled both scenarios and currently hooking it all back up.
Ok Zach, let me try and help you out a little. First Let's look at this statement made my Rich in this thread:
The stat needs to stay close to closed to keep the engine at the proper operating temp. (which is usually about 10-12F hotter than the stat is rated for)
If the engine is 10-12F hotter than the thermostat rating, how is the thermostat going to go "close to closed"? Once again, the principles Rich (and I guess you) are having a hard time with is a thermostat OPENS to COOL, and CLOSES TO HEAT. The thermostat going "close to closed"
for the coolant in the radiator to cool, doesn't follow these
basic thermostat principles.
Next, this statement:
I was not only a ME.. but a cooling engineer for ford for 6 yrs.
He wants you to believe he was a Ford cooling engineer for 6 years. In reality, he worked for a company that was a contractor for Ford that did testing.
For the heater control valve, it is located on one of the heater hoses on my 1999 FFV 3.0L. See red circle in
this photo:
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Wyoming MN
4.0L and 5.4Ls do not have such heater control valve.
Bob, you know me im not really one to argue so ill end it with this.
I do understand your theory i just think there is more to it than open and closed as you mention.
Bob, you know me im not really one to argue so ill end it with this.
I do understand your theory i just think there is more to it than open and closed as you mention.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Taft, Ca
i havnt read all the post in this thread im on a quick lunch break at the moment one thing i see that throws this experement off is there is no antifreeze in the system just straight coolant
coolant=water
antifreeze=chemicals that keeps the coolant from freezing in cold weather,rust inhibiters,lube for the waterpump
system will run colder with no antifreeze
thermostate is there for a reason in the right conditions it can/will overheat
coolant=water
antifreeze=chemicals that keeps the coolant from freezing in cold weather,rust inhibiters,lube for the waterpump
system will run colder with no antifreeze
thermostate is there for a reason in the right conditions it can/will overheat
Look on the heater hose near the firewall. It turns off coolant flow to the heater core when the HVAC control is in OFF or MAX AC.
mine doesnt have a control valve. none of my 4.0's have had one. my buddys 3.0 does though.
My 2003 Ranger came from the factory with a heater control valve and I believe your 2001 did too. Some years/engines use a 4-port with a built in bypass and others use a simple 2-port shut off valve. It depends on how the rest of the cooling system is configured. Also, some years may have the valve only if A/C equipped.
Stick open is fine in the summer. But once you hit winter it will keep the engine to cool and you won't be able to heat your car. Like driving around with A/C on in December lol.
If you thermostat is stuck closed you will defiantly notice the coolant gauge headed above normal. No one should overheat from that. Unless you're blind. But in that case, you probably shouldn't be driving.
Ok, I'm done now.
If you thermostat is stuck closed you will defiantly notice the coolant gauge headed above normal. No one should overheat from that. Unless you're blind. But in that case, you probably shouldn't be driving.
Ok, I'm done now.
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Level I Supporter
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Durham, NC
i havnt read all the post in this thread im on a quick lunch break at the moment one thing i see that throws this experement off is there is no antifreeze in the system just straight coolant
coolant=water
antifreeze=chemicals that keeps the coolant from freezing in cold weather,rust inhibiters,lube for the waterpump
system will run colder with no antifreeze
thermostate is there for a reason in the right conditions it can/will overheat
coolant=water
antifreeze=chemicals that keeps the coolant from freezing in cold weather,rust inhibiters,lube for the waterpump
system will run colder with no antifreeze
thermostate is there for a reason in the right conditions it can/will overheat
I did the experiment after the first drain, so the block still had antifreeze in it.
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Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 10
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From: Washington nc
Ford ranger thermostat in or out.the truth keep it in change clutch fan
Rich, for the last time, try to understand this concept:
A thermostat CLOSES to HEAT, and OPENS to COOL.......
Very simple!!!
And Rich your statement here:
It does this by having the stat closed and recirculating coolant through the heater core.
This does not happen in the summer when the heater isn't used. The heater control valve keeps coolant from going through the heater core. The coolant is circulated in the block via a bypass hose until the thermostat opens........
A thermostat CLOSES to HEAT, and OPENS to COOL.......
Very simple!!!
And Rich your statement here:
It does this by having the stat closed and recirculating coolant through the heater core.
This does not happen in the summer when the heater isn't used. The heater control valve keeps coolant from going through the heater core. The coolant is circulated in the block via a bypass hose until the thermostat opens........
Last edited by Troy koonce; Jun 27, 2025 at 02:40 PM. Reason: atic I did same on other Ford range
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