Stuck themostat: I think?

[alchemysa]

It will not stay in the radiator long enough to cool.

This is completely wrong. There is absolutely no circumstance where a car will overheat because 'water is flowing through the radiator too fast'. Also, comments suggesting that the 'thermostat assists cooling by slowing the flow of water to the radiator' are also completely wrong.

A faulty or stuck open thermostat (or no thermostat) can only cause overheating if it incorrectly recycles too much hot water straight back into the engine without it even going through the radiator. It all depends on the design of the thermostat and the thermostat housing. It has nothing to do with the water running through the radiator 'too fast'. For cooling purposes, the faster it goes through the radiator the better.

The pics on this website explain it pretty well... ARE Cooling

Note the last description applicable to Figure 6..

"Bypass Thermostat In A Non-Bypass
Thermostat Application.

This is the worst possible combination as the secondary valve of
the thermostat will hit the bottom of the housing (Figure 6) and
prevent the thermostat from opening, as no coolant whatsoever
will circulate and the engine will overheat and boil. Major engine
damage may be caused as a result of this situation."

Perhaps that explains the damage to the O.P.s thermostat and the overheating.

This PDF has even better pics.

Are you sure you have the correct thermostat? I googled this and it doesn't look much like the one you are holding. http://www.greenpartstore.com/John-Deere-Thermostat--CH15536_p_12244.html

 

[RobJ]

For cooling purposes, the faster it goes through the radiator the better.

This works for passing your finger over a flame, To fast and no transfer of heat. It's all about the transfer.

But don't things work backwards down under?

 

[Midniteoyl]

No.. faster is better..