[TR] Skirted thermostats

[Dave1massey at cs.com]

In a message dated 11/26/2011 10:37:44 AM Central Standard Time, 
tr3 at roadrunner.com writes: 
> >The skirt does nothing until the thermostat opens, and then it only  
> >improves
> >cooling (if in fact it does anything at all).
> 
> The way I understand it, the manufacturer intended the skirt to  
> function as a diverter valve, i.e.:
> 1     prior to the thermostat opening, the coolant by-passes the  
> radiator such that it heats up quickly, but still  provide sufficient  
> flow to prevent harmful hotspot heating up of the engine.
>   2    When the thermostat starts opening, more coolant is diverted to  
> the radiator until (nearly all) the coolant passes through the radiator.
> 
> My concern is, that merely permanently restricting the bypass flow is  
> likely to be more harmful in the long run during cold winters while  
> the thermostat is closed for longer periods and then still reduces the  
> flow through the radiator during our hot summers which so easily  
> causes overheating in those marginal radiators.
> Hans.
> 

I thihnk Randall's point is that skirt or no skirt, if your car is not 
reaching operating temperature the thermostat is either stuck open or opening 
too soon.  Try a $5 autoparts store thermostat and see how that works.

The skirt only helps if you have overheating problems.

Dave