Does my '06 KTM450exc need its thermostat?

[pete.ktm]

hey

had a radiator hose blow in the weekend.

any one know of any local sources for a good quality orange hose kit at a reasonable price? or recommendations for any of the kits on e-bay.

but my main question is.... meet paul whibleys suspension guy at the ride my hose blew and he recommended removing the thermostat altogether. needs a different set of hoses but has anyone else done this? google search says it's ok if you don't ride in cold weather. takes a bit longer for the engine to warm up but keeps the engine cooler.

cheers.

[pete376403]

I've seen an engine chronicaly overheat because the thermostat was removed - water moved around too fast to pickup heat. "Solution" to that was to remove every other water pump impeller blade, then to get a huge custom radiator built, then to run 100% glycol. At which point they gave up and sold the vehicle. Next owner put in a thermostat, a standard water pump and a standard radiator, and used water (with inhibitor) for coolant. Never overheated again.

If KTM thought they could save a $ or two manufacturing costs and leave out the thermo, they would.

[noobi]

hey

had a radiator hose blow in the weekend.

any one know of any local sources for a good quality orange hose kit at a reasonable price? or recommendations for any of the kits on e-bay.

but my main question is.... meet paul whibleys suspension guy at the ride my hose blew and he recommended removing the thermostat altogether. needs a different set of hoses but has anyone else done this? google search says it's ok if you don't ride in cold weather. takes a bit longer for the engine to warm up but keeps the engine cooler.

cheers.

Fwiw Chris birch doesn't run one in his bikes, however that's on 2 strokes.
DRC make a silicon radiator hose kit which is 79.90 RRP. Any bike shop can get it for you.

[scott411]

I've seen an engine chronicaly overheat because the thermostat was removed - water moved around too fast to pickup heat. "Solution" to that was to remove every other water pump impeller blade, then to get a huge custom radiator built, then to run 100% glycol. At which point they gave up and sold the vehicle. Next owner put in a thermostat, a standard water pump and a standard radiator, and used water (with inhibitor) for coolant. Never overheated again.

If KTM thought they could save a $ or two manufacturing costs and leave out the thermo, they would.

what sort of bike was this?

In NZ, i would not think you would need one as we do not get that cold, i think it would be ok,

[nzspokes]

We used to do this on race cars to help them stay cool at race speed. But we made a plate to replace the thermostat and drilled holes in it to restrict flow.

[Crisis management]

Certainly I have heard of a lot of people removing the thermostats from the EXCs, my understanding is that the enduro models get them to ensure fast engine heat in the stop and start conditions of enduro riding. I checked the 06 450 parts fiche and the EXC gets the thermostat, the SX doesn't, so you can probably be reassured that KTM reckon they should survive without them, just watch your engine temps.

Me, I leave the thermostat in, I'm not racing and would prefer a consistant coolant / engine temperature.

[pete376403]

what sort of bike was this?

In NZ, i would not think you would need one as we do not get that cold, i think it would be ok,

Wasn't a bike was a 350 chev speedway saloon, but the principle is still the same.

A thermostat won't do anything to cure overheating, but it will assist in getting an engine up to proper operating temperature and then keeping it there.

BTW, if you want to see a REAL shitfight about cooling systems, have a look for forum threads involving KLR650s and the thermobob. The McCoys / Hatfeilds feud had nothing on these guys

[pete.ktm]

DRC make a silicon radiator hose kit which is 79.90 RRP. Any bike shop can get it for you.

thanx but looks like they only make a kit for the '08-'11 year models. i'll check with my local shop tomorrow, maybe they have something else or a hard parts kit won't be as much as i thought.

and looks like it's another some say leave the t-stat on, some say take it off. so maybe i'll play it safe and leave it on.

cheers guys.

[Danger]

Chris Birch doesn't own his bikes.

But fwiw, if the thermostat is like those on the two strokes you can simply take the plastic housing apart and remove the thermostat and close the housing, everything is fine. I always warm my bike before riding, this is not possible if you are doing enduros with cold start tests or if you are one of those that does not warm his bike properly before riding be best to leave it in.
I like to remove the thermostat in the warmer months of the year, but in the colder months I refit it because it helps the engine warm quicker and run at the right temperature rather than too cool. Its an easy task to remove and fit on the two strokes, might not be the same on the fours.

[Crabby]

The water generally will circulate too fast with no thermo, what we used to do was cut the valve off the thermostat just leaving the plate so the restriction is still there, its just like the thermo is open all the time.

There is a fan kit for the 450 EXC that is recommended by some who have owned them. I nearly bought a 06 450 exc but the guy mucked around too much so I bought another bike but did a bit of research on overheating prior...

[Pornstar]

Its an easy task to remove and fit on the two strokes, might not be the same on the fours.

nothin ever is.

[Jay GTI]

nothin ever is.

Not nothing. Pre-mix.

Although that is a small (tiny) price to pay... unlike the $900 it cost me to have the fuel pump replaced on my wonderful, modern 4T... mutter, grumble, mutter, the fuel pump (i.e. gravity) never broke down on my old RM... mutter, grumble...

[pete.ktm]

TSS report that theres no orange hoses available for my '06 so got some off ebay.

Was going to put a fan on after the occasional overheating but replacing the standard 1.6 bar radiator cap with a 1.8 fixed that.