my ute gets a bit hot and ive been told to drill about a 6 mm hole in the thermostat to keep a constant water flow to keep it cooler is this a good thing or is there a better solution

Even better take the thing completely out, it will take longer to warm up but its summer, so thats not an issue, also you can take the oil catch pan off to allow air to get to the sump. good luck

yea thats what im doin 2morrow, takin the thermostat out!!!I think the one in theres stuffed anyway as over the last couple of days the temp guage has been readin very diffrent from normal.What should i expect with out the thermostat in there apart from a lower running temp??

It should run cooler thats about it, it just lets the water flow better, when your at it take your radiator out and give it a good flushing, clean out any bugs stuck to the front. Check for any leaks and corrosion, and buy some new hoses if yours are soft because these can also suck inwards restricting water flow, even take off your heater hose and flush out your heater, and put a new gasket on thermostat housing, fill with a nice quality coolant. Maybe invest in a new radiator cap. And if it keeps overheating or if in traffic, you can always switch on your heater, that will cool down the engine too. Check your timing isnt too advanced.

If you're flushing out the heater, don't forget to turn it on first.

just put a new thermostat in, the factory never had a problem with cars overheating.

but ive heard the problem with that is that is it takes to long to heat up and that it still heats up . is this true so i got told that if i just drill a hole in it it will solve the problem. has anyone had a problem with not having a thermostat in???

They sell thermostats that open at cooler temps, like 165F or 175F. A tini little hole is sometimes used to help bleed out air still trapped in the block.
You should make sure that the thermostat you're using works. Just boil it in a pot of water with a thermometer to see when it opens.
There are a number of reasons, other than the thermostat, for overheating. It has been discussed to death many times and I believe we even lost a long time member in one debate.
What ever happened to Mario?
Anyways, SEARCH for thermostats, overheating, etc.

water can only have a cooling effect if it's pressurised against the surface it has to cool.

ever poured water on a BBQ plate? it just beads, aerates and rolls off. pour on water then chuck your steak on and it will cool the plate because it's not given the chance to aerate.

now, take your thermostat out and you lose the ability for it to 'pressurise' the water in the block against all the surfaces it has to cool.

what does that mean...? aerated cooling system, that's what.

air + water = corrosion.
alum head + iron block + copper radiator + water + air = recipe for disaster.

don't be a tight arse. fit a bloody thermostat with the correct temp rating and it will be fine.

next thing you'll be telling me to pour ajax down the carby of my running engine for a "cylinder hone"...

im havin bloody problems still with my engine temp. I thought it was the thermostat, but that is opening when it was put in a hot cup of water. Theres a new raiator, new radiator cap, all hoses are fine. I got natrad(cooling shop) 2 have alook at it a while back and take the old radiator apart and check it, it was stuffed and they put a new one in, i now am still havin trouble, when engine is idling and when car is been driven. I will take it back in and get them 2 have another look as i dont have the time 2 be stuffin round!!!