Mike Volpp
Member
Within 5 or 6 minutes of first start following TO 20 lower engine rebuild, the coolant temperature headed into the redline area. After thermostat (pointy end forward) removal, temp remained in cold area unless radiator was covered. Thermostat tested OK in hot water on the stove, but obviously didn't allow much, if any, coolant through to the radiator on the tractor. Since the rebuild was precipitated by an overheat condition that wrecked 2 rod bearings and the crankshaft to begin with, I'm inclined to run in the summer with no thermostat if they're no more reliable than that. (The thermo in question was new in 2013, presumed to be 160 degree, and was used less than one mowing season) Have others had similar experience?