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Hi there. Well, the thermostat opens because of the temperature. A common thing to do is to take the thermostat and put it in a casserole with water.
Then, boil it, and if you have a thermometer that goes that high you can check the temperature of the water. Anyway, what happens is that when you start heating the casserole the thermostat is supposed to be closed, and when the temperature is about 160 or so it shall start opening, and when the temperature is about 185 it should be fully open.
So, if this happens your thermostart is ok and working. If your system still does not flow, there has to be a block in your system some place. Or the waterpump impeller does not turn for some reason. I would give the advice that you should use your thermostart, at least if you live in an area where it gets a little chilly or cold in the winter. A too cold engine ruins performance and increase wear, and keeps the engine more dirty than it needs to be. But, here is something I wonder about. You say you do not think your thermostat open, because the lower radiator hose is cold. If this happens your engine must be very very hot... Look, here is a little trick. If you empty the radiator a little... so that the level is just below the upper pipe where the hose from the thermostat comes in, and then start, and you look down the filler hole in the radiator and peek the way the pipe comes out in the upper radiator tank you should be able to see the water come flowing out the pipe and into the radiator tank. If it does, there is flow. If not, wait until the engine is hot, and then peek again. Let us hear what you find, I am curious.
Bill
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