Can I run my vehicle without its thermostat?

You shouldn't run it without the thermostat it won't warm up properly or run correctly , How many miles on it ? Maybe the timing chain is worn out , vacuum leaks ? Any corrosion with the wires at the disconnects ? Mice can invade even a daily driver .

If it is just for a few days you should be fine, but you might notice some performance drop as the engine won’t be operating at normal temperature so the computer will back things off. Get it replaced asap.

The thermostat is used to keep the engine temperature up to the proper level, usually between 195 and 220 degrees. The pressure in the cooling system increases the boiling point so the coolant will not boil out. The truck computer will change the fuel to air mixture and it will run the engine a little rich when the temp is below 195. You might notice the exhaust looking blackish. And your heater uses the coolant of the engine to keep you warm in the winter.

For a few days it won't hurt anything but your service engine soon light will probably come on. Your engine must reach normal operating temperature of 195°F within ten minutes of a cold start up so the computer can go into closed loop operation. If that does happen just disconnect the negative battery cable for a minute or two to clear the computer. To test the thermostat put it in a pan of water. Heat the pan of water on the stove. Before the water is boiling the thermostat should be fully open. Water boils at 212°F and the thermostat should be open at 195°F. You should be checking all your fluid levels on a regular basis. Older models use fluids. That's just the way it is. Your description of the temperature gauge activity is most likely because you're very low on coolant! Having to add coolant to an older model a few times a year is normal and not a cause for concern. However if it becomes more frequent or you see something dripping or smell coolant, you need to look into that. If you have a carburetor the accelerator pump may be worn out. If that's the case you'll need to have the carburetor rebuilt. DO NOT buy a rebuilt carburetor and turn in the original for the core charge!! The rebuilt carburetor will not be right, I can guarantee it!! Have the original carburetor rebuilt!! You might also be having a problem with the throttle position sensor, if equipped. Hope that helps! Jim

not too long... it can collapse the catalytic converter. that's what happened to my buick.

Thanks everyone for the advise I haven’t had any more problems since I added coolant. For having almost 250k miles it’s in really good shape mechanically. I am starting to hear a lot of clanking going on underneath when I take off from a stop and turn sometimes .(suspension) I’m thinking

Well now I’ve got a new problem , so I started it up it was already warm (I just got back from a side job) . Immediately I noticed a vibration but it was with the idle not like a moving part. Also a loss of power and rotten Egg smell. The exhaust isn’t clogged it still has good flow at the end of the exhaust pipe. And no

No check engine light are on oh also i had said it was a 98 I lied it’s a 93

rotten egg smell is the engine is running too cold so unburned fuel.. hopefully the cat doesn't get hot and collapse at this point. mine did from that description. it was my 86 lesabre that i learned from.

Sounds like the engine is misfiring. That's why it's shaking and the rotten egg smell is the catalytic converter overheating from the unburned gasoline going into it. Probably needs a complete tune up. New spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap and distributor rotor. Hope that helps! Jim