# OK to remove thermostat? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** rav4, toyota\ **Created:** [December 10, 2019, 12:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-remove-thermostat/154398 "2019-12-10T12:45:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ALBERTKANGOYA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@ALBERTKANGOYA](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ALBERTKANGOYA)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 12:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-remove-thermostat/154398/1 "2019-12-10T12:45:17Z")
My mechanic wants to remove thermostat from my car, 2004 model Rav4, should I allow him? ---
**Author:** ![tcmichnorth](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tcmichnorth/32/25126_2.png) [@tcmichnorth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tcmichnorth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 1:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-remove-thermostat/154398/2 "2019-12-10T13:11:44Z")
Only if he replaces it with a new one. If there are cooling problems they need to be addressed. The thermostat plays a critical role in engine performance. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 2:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-remove-thermostat/154398/3 "2019-12-11T02:04:18Z")
What he said (above). Don’t pull the thermostat without replacing it. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-remove-thermostat/154398/4 "2019-12-11T02:12:41Z")
I would agree 100% with the comments above, but I’ll add that you need a new mechanic, right away. ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 8:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-remove-thermostat/154398/5 "2019-12-11T08:35:17Z")
Why does your mechanic want to remove it? Just curious… ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-remove-thermostat/154398/6 "2019-12-11T13:36:18Z")
Removing the thermostat would result in the engine overheating due to coolant continually cycling through the open bypass circuit. I also suggest you find another mechanic. ---
**Author:** ![Kenroy-Pcspecialist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@Kenroy-Pcspecialist](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Kenroy-Pcspecialist)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 1:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-remove-thermostat/154398/7 "2020-08-26T13:15:04Z")
Actually I had removed my thermostat before then My radiator keeps cracking when ever I go on long journeys. However now am understanding that it’s not safe. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-remove-thermostat/154398/8 "2020-08-26T13:53:03Z")
Before my posting from last December I checked and found that your engine has a by-pass thermostat which means it has 2 functions. Like all previous thermostats the Rav4’s opens and closes to control coolant passing through the radiator but it also has a tail piece on the plunger which opens and closes a by-pass in the block which keeps coolant circulating in the block whenever the passage to the radiator is closed. When a by-pass thermostat is removed the coolant will mostly circulate inside the block without passing through the radiator under most driving conditions. If your engine is not overheating without a proper thermostat you’re lucky so far. Repeatedly blowing the radiator would indicate that the head gasket is likely blown. Operating an engine without a thermostat was common but costly before 1980 but very costly and to be avoided for many reasons on computer controlled models that are on the roads today.