Vets-Vet

If owners drill two 1/8" holes for bleeding air in thermostats will it change the operation at all ??

arbee

Not to any measurable degree. Most if not all transmission clutch drums have bleed holes and this does not effect their operation. It is designed that way.

1Hotrodz

One 1/16" hole at the top of the T-stat is all you really need. I've seen some T-stats come with a tiny vent hole with a rubber nib pushed thru the hole, so as to act as a vent valve of some sort. Where air can flow out but not coolant. I assume this was done to reduced the amount of coolant bypassing the T-stat.

Whaleman

Mine has that also. I am surprised they thought that small hole would have any effect at all. Dan

Vets-Vet

Thanks all.
Donny

ex-x-fire

Yes, it takes longer to warm up.

arbee

What would this extended time frame be? Throwing an ice cube into a hot tub also lowers its temperature.

ex-x-fire

A lot of variables, like air temp flowing through the radiator, which would be happening with holes in the t stat.

IHBD

Remember that thermostats regulate Minimum coolant temperature.

With holes the thermostat will become fully-closed, or begin to open at a higher ambient temperature than it will without the holes. This will affect heater output and operating temperature at idle and low loads.

If its cold enough, and the burner for the hot tub doesn't produce much heat, the ice cubes won't melt as quickly. The hot tub can't produce as much heat as the cold of its surroundings suck up. Engines in cold ambients at idle are the same deal. The block radiates heat. The heater core radiates heat. With holes in the thermostat, the radiator is now radiating heat.

WVZR-1

You gathered all of that at which Holiday Inn Express? Last night or maybe on one of your 'Road Trips'?

Whaleman

We are talking about a tiny hole. I just can't believe it makes any difference. What can the flow rate be through a 1/8" hole maybe a gallon an hour? Dan

Vets-Vet

Why do manufactures put a nib or wiggle device in the hole ??

84 4+3

I saw about 2 degree F difference at about 27 degrees F ambient temp at most... hardly what I'd call any meaningful difference and is well within the error of the ECT sensor... this is worrying about things not worth worrying about....

Whaleman

So that people who worry about crap like this feel that with that tiny wiggle seal that the thermostat will be completely closed on cold start up. Dan

arbee

The thought that a thermostat with holes needs a higher ambient temperature to start opening vs a thermostat without holes is sheer nonsense. The opening and closing is controlled by the expansion and contraction of the wax in the cylinder. This wax does not know whether the stat has no holes, small holes or a hole the size of your thumb. A large hole will allow more fluid to flow before opening and thus yes, extend the warm up temperature to some degree(this is carrying the scenario to an exaggerated degree and not what the OP asked). However, once the fluid temperature approaches the set point, the opening will start, holes or no holes.

84 4+3

I appreciate this clarification as I am too dumb to be able to properly convey my findings. I have added a comment to my original post to accurately reflect my retarded state.

arbee

Not sure why you would want to be so publicly self deprecating but that's your choice I guess. As far as the issue at hand, my comment had nothing to do with you.. If it had been in reference to you, I would have quoted you rather than make an open post. You know, like you quoted my comment.. Lack of reading comprehension strikes again.

84 4+3

I am one of two who mentioned ambient temperature directly and it definitely read like it was in reference to quite a bit of what I had said but... I am wrong again. And yes... I misread. My apologies sir.

I'd rather admit I'm the fool or make a mistake than have people blindly read and believe what I say is right when it isn't. Without proper explanation on my post, it reads wrong for the exact reasons you've stated in your post. Sorry.

LT-1 kid

never admit your a fool, just learn from it and move on.
I always thought the small hole in a thermostat is to release possible air pocket

arbee

Nothing to worry about. **** happens occasionally. You are one of few here who has the ***** to admit an error. All good. It is just that I am a stickler for CORRECT information. Time and time again, people will get on here and argue or post "you seem to be saying....." NO! I don't "seem to be saying" that at all. READ! While it may be confusing to some, the English language is not that difficult to comprehend if you went to school for at least six years.