Helena Frye
A boat thermostat is a valve in the outboard's cooling system that opens or closes depending on temperature. When the thermostat is closed, it prevents the flow of cooling water passing through the outboard, thus increasing the motor's operating temperature. When the temperature rises, the thermostat opens and allows coolant to flow through the outboard, thus decreasing its operating temperature. By constantly opening and closing, the thermostat keeps the motor at its ideal operating temperature and prevents the engine from overheating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To control the temperature of the engine and ensure it runs at peak performance |
| Function | Opens and closes depending on temperature, allowing coolant to flow through the outboard and decrease its operating temperature |
| Components | Vernatherm, piston, brass housing, internal chamber, rubber diaphragm, waxy mixture |
| Failure | Usually occurs when the thermostat remains closed, cutting off the supply of coolant to the outboard |
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What You'll Learn
- The thermostat opens and closes to allow coolant to flow through the outboard, controlling the engine's temperature
- The thermostat is a valve in the outboard's cooling system
- The thermostat prevents the engine from overheating
- The thermostat ensures fuel combustion is optimised to provide maximum power while minimising fuel consumption
- The thermostat can fail completely, usually when it remains closed and cuts off the supply of coolant
The thermostat opens and closes to allow coolant to flow through the outboard, controlling the engine's temperature
A boat's thermostat is an essential component for controlling the temperature of the engine and ensuring it runs at peak performance. It is a valve in the outboard's cooling system that opens or closes depending on the temperature.
The thermostat's 'brain' is a component called a vernatherm, which is fastened inside the thermostat housing. This device has a piston that moves upward to open the thermostat valve at a pre-determined temperature. The vernatherm consists of brass housing with an internal chamber containing a mixture formulated to expand at a pre-determined temperature. As the waxy mixture expands from water heating up, it pushes upward on the piston attached to the bottom of the thermostat valve. This motion lifts the valve off its seat, allowing hot water to flow through the open valve to exit the engine block. At the same time, cold water enters the engine, causing a cool-down effect. As the vernatherm senses the temperature reduction, the wax contracts and the return-spring moves the piston inwards to close the valve.
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The thermostat is a valve in the outboard's cooling system
The brain of a thermostat is a component called a vernatherm that is fastened inside the thermostat housing. This device has a piston that moves upward to open the thermostat valve at a pre-determined temperature. The vernatherm consists of brass housing with an internal chamber containing a mixture formulated to expand at a pre-determined temperature. As the waxy mixture expands from water heating up, it pushes upward on the piston attached to the bottom of the thermostat valve. This motion (about 1/8”) lifts the valve off its seat, allowing hot water to flow through the open valve to exit the engine block. At the same time, cold water enters the engine, causing a cool-down effect. As the vernatherm senses the temperature reduction, the wax contracts and the return-spring moves the piston inwards to close the valve.
Thermostats are fairly robust and can last for several years, depending on how many hours you put on your outboard and the conditions in which you run it. However, when they do go bad, they simply fail completely. Usually, a thermostat remains closed when it fails, cutting off the supply of coolant to the outboard. Occasionally, a thermostat will fail in the open position or get jammed by corrosion or debris, allowing coolant to constantly flow through the motor regardless of whether the outboard needs it or not.
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The thermostat prevents the engine from overheating
The brain of a thermostat is a component called a vernatherm, which is fastened inside the thermostat housing. This device has a piston that moves upward to open the thermostat valve at a pre-determined temperature. The vernatherm consists of brass housing with an internal chamber containing a mixture formulated to expand at a pre-determined temperature. As the waxy mixture expands from water heating up, it pushes upward on the piston attached to the bottom of the thermostat valve. This motion lifts the valve off its seat, allowing hot water to flow through the open valve to exit the engine block. At the same time, cold water enters the engine, causing a cool-down effect. As the vernatherm senses the temperature reduction, the wax contracts and the return-spring moves the piston inwards to close the valve.
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The thermostat ensures fuel combustion is optimised to provide maximum power while minimising fuel consumption
A boat thermostat is a valve in the outboard's cooling system that opens and closes depending on the temperature. By constantly opening and closing, the thermostat keeps the motor at its ideal operating temperature, preventing it from overheating. This ensures fuel combustion is optimised to provide maximum power while minimising fuel consumption.
The thermostat is controlled by a component called a vernatherm, which is fastened inside the thermostat housing. The vernatherm consists of brass housing with an internal chamber containing a mixture formulated to expand at a pre-determined temperature. As the temperature rises, the mixture expands and pushes upward on a piston attached to the bottom of the thermostat valve, opening the valve and allowing coolant to flow through the outboard. This decreases the operating temperature of the outboard.
When the temperature reduces, the wax in the vernatherm contracts and a return-spring moves the piston inwards to close the valve. This prevents the flow of cooling water passing through the outboard, thus increasing the motor’s operating temperature.
Boat thermostats are fairly robust and can last for several years, depending on how many hours you put on your outboard and the types of conditions you run it in. However, when they do fail, they usually fail completely, cutting off the supply of coolant to the outboard.
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The thermostat can fail completely, usually when it remains closed and cuts off the supply of coolant
A boat thermostat is a valve in the outboard's cooling system that opens or closes depending on temperature. As the temperature rises, the thermostat opens and allows coolant to flow through the outboard, thus decreasing its operating temperature. By constantly opening and closing, the thermostat keeps the motor at its ideal operating temperature.
The thermostat usually fails in the closed position, but it can occasionally fail in the open position or get jammed by corrosion or debris. When this happens, coolant constantly flows through the motor regardless of whether the outboard needs it or not.
The brain of the thermostat is a component called a vernatherm that is fastened inside the thermostat housing. This device has a piston that moves upward to open the thermostat valve at a pre-determined temperature. The vernatherm consists of brass housing with an internal chamber containing a mixture formulated to expand at a pre-determined temperature. As the waxy mixture expands from water heating up, it pushes upward on the piston attached to the bottom of the thermostat valve. This motion lifts the valve off its seat, allowing hot water to flow through the open valve to exit the engine block. At the same time, cold water enters the engine, causing a cool-down effect. As the vernatherm senses the temperature reduction, the wax contracts and the return-spring moves the piston inwards to close the valve.
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Frequently asked questions
A boat thermostat controls the temperature of the engine, allowing it to run at peak performance.
A boat thermostat is a valve in the outboard's cooling system that opens or closes depending on the temperature. When the temperature rises, the thermostat opens and allows coolant to flow through the outboard, thus decreasing its operating temperature.
When the thermostat is closed, it prevents the flow of cooling water passing through the outboard, thus increasing the motor's operating temperature.
The 'brain' of a thermostat is a component called a vernatherm. This device has a piston that moves upward to open the thermostat valve at a pre-determined temperature.
Thermostats don't slowly decline, they simply fail completely. Usually, a thermostat remains closed when it fails, cutting off the supply of coolant to the outboard.
