What will happen if I ride my ATV without the thermostat?

 

The engine would never get up to operating temp.
Why would you want to do such a thing?

 

Trying to solve my overheating problem. Thought a bad thermostat might be the problem

 

Got ya. Ya you can take it out and run it for a bit; or just buy one and try it.
99% of the time is will not be the thermostat.
Thermostats just don't go bad that often.

 

Are you sure?
Engine will take a longer time to reach the normal operating temp since the coolant will be circulating from the start w/o the thermostat. However, if ride long enough, it will eventually reach the operating temp.

 

Depends on the coolant system and how efficient and how large it is. The 3 engines I did this with got up to 140 150 ish and that was it. They never got any hotter.

 

What are the 3 engines you are talking about?
I am talking about the OP's Kawi 400 Prairie and that's what he was asking about. So, you can't really say either way w/o testing it.

 

put it in some hot water to see if it opens on a stove, if the water boils and it doesnt open that your provblem.

 

#1. SBC
#2. BBC
#3. 20R

The reason we have thermostates in an ICE is to regulate the coolant temp.

Most think that when a stat reaches operating temp it opens up and stays that way. This is not true. A stat will shuttle between open and closed on ANY engine regardless of the make or model or app.
The stat should never open 100% and stay that way to maintain opperating temp. If it does, your maxing out the cooling system and that is never a good thing.


Here is a good explanation of how it should work on any ICE:
Stant

Your correct about me never trying this with the OP's P 400. And I could be incorrect about it.
BUT
I've also never tried to start a Model T a Kaiser or a Yugo but I also have the utmost confidence if these engines have spark, fuel and compression they will start.