Engines get hot
Engine heat expands the accordian-type thermostat
this expansion pushes up on the rod to the flaps to open them
Bad thermostat, one has expanded slightly or grotesquely
slightly, will not move the rod the distance it should
hence flaps are not opened to the degree they should be when your engine ishot.........
really expanded ones....well, you could not fit under the car at all.
Last year dissasembled and old engine that had a thermostat which was expanded over a foot ( I remember it was over 2 feet, but dont want to seem too crazy c23 - so I'll say a foot. ) wish I took a pic of it, it was unbeleivable!
the fish that got away
Matt