Thermostat question

[steplift20]

Can thermostats be removed and cleaned and reused? Mercury outboard 150 hp

[Cam]

If it was working before, why not.

[steplift20]

Their used in salt water do there is crud on them but they are not cheap so I was thinking why not just clean them, I used to change my plugs every year but stopped doing that cause they are over 3 dollars rack and they are gapless ,and they work fine, I think I'm going to clean the thermostats too. Still waiting for the heavy hitters opinions but I think you are right too.

[phatdaddy]

Biggest issue i had was the rubber grommet getting crusty. I usually changed em every 2-3 years, but checked the annually. I would change the poppet valve assy at the same time.

Also, when buying t stats, water pump kits, poppet valve kits on merc s, i would recommend OEM stuff.

[steplift20]

Phatdaddy that's the way to do it thenI would have all bases covered, I changed my poppet valve had to be over ten years ago and honestly I forgot where it is and how to do it , I changed my water impeller about two years age and the water pump base last year , I know the poppet valve is not hard to change band I should but my motor is not over heating.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Cleaning them does nothing for the vernatherm that actually makes them work. The only rebuildable stats that I know of are the johnnyrude loopers. Thermostats are maintenance items, so why chance cooking your powerhead to save a few bucks is how I look at it.

[steplift20]

Ferm,I agree with you 100 percent but I usually change them every year ,but is that nessasary ? So what I did this year is soak them in fresh water and soap, brushed them clean just toget the salt crud off and reuse them and honestly they seem to work better. I feel the salt crust that forms on them restricts them some how ,so I cleaned them and one of the rubber seals was cut and I always save parts and happened to have one so I changed that I not think I would have a problem if I used it in fresh water but salt forgettaboutit.