More junk parts......

[Chris142]

I put a Robert Shaw Balanced Thermostat in my Jeep at the beginning of summer. Last of it's kind. Made in USA. They are now made in China.

Went on a trip yesterday and I noticed that the Jeep wasn't running 195-205 like it usually does. Was running about 180.

On the 200 mile trip home the temp kept getting lower and lower. The stock guage shows just above 100F. Aftermarket guage shows 140F.

Warm air off the fan and only a warm upper hose. Thermostat is stuck open and not letting the engine get up to operating temp.

I'm sure that P0128 is just arund the corner.

Fortunatly it's an easy fix on the Jeep but that was a good quality thermostat.

 

[duaneb9729]

same thing happened to me on my S-10, the new one didnt last six months

 

[The_Eric]

Just use an OEM Mopar next time.

 

[rshunter]

Wait, you're mourning the loss of an American made piece of junk?

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Just use an OEM Mopar next time.
The Mopar stat is just as bad. After a while the bridge breaks off and the stat sticks open. I replace bunches of them due to that.

New one from Napa is in. It's a Stant Superstat in the Napa box. Running 195 again.

Also made in USA.

A-Zone has what looks like a good stat but it's made in Israel.

 

[daves87rs]

Sad...

 

[wings&wheels]

I would not worry about the Israeli made one. I've used several from there in various Brit cars and they were fine.

One caution though, if it is the Israeli made MotoRad "fail-safe" that AZ sells, be careful. Their fail-safe mode works almost too well in that a car that runs hotter than typical or has marginal cooling (TR6 anyone?) may trip the fai-safe mode during normal operation.

 

[pottymouth]

I'm confused. You got less than a year out of this thermostat and then refer to it as "good quality?"

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: pottymouth
I'm confused. You got less than a year out of this thermostat and then refer to it as "good quality?"
Well RS stats used to be the cats meow. Plus you would think that a made in USA part would be better and last longer than one made in China or Israel.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: wings&wheels


One caution though, if it is the Israeli made MotoRad "fail-safe" that AZ sells, be careful. Their fail-safe mode works almost too well in that a car that runs hotter than typical or has marginal cooling (TR6 anyone?) may trip the fai-safe mode during normal operation.

Ya I've seen those stuck open for no reason too. Especially on Jeeps since they normally run 220+.

 

[morris]

many many years ago there was an article in a magazine, showing to use a Robert Shaw Balanced Thermostat, on small block dodges, and add a plate to the back side of the water pump impeller. causes a increase in water flow of 30%. i did the mod with good outcome. but its not fun to hear things are not as good as they should be. its a shame people cant make good stuff.

 

[The Critic]

Any made in japan ones?

I've seen OE japanese car stats last for 100k+.

 

[wings&wheels]

Over the years, I've had great luck w/ German made Wahlers, but they are tough to find and a bit pricey when you do.

Of the readily available parts, I like Stant Superstats. The opening is a little bigger than some others which should flow more. I put one in my TR6 last time I did a coolant service and while warm up time and running temp were unchanged as expected, I noticed the temp gauge (old school, real one) seems to fluctuate less as speeds & conditions change..thinking maybe it reacts faster..or placebo effect from springing the extra bucks on the
"super" stat

 

[lairdwd]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Any made in japan ones?

I've seen OE japanese car stats last for 100k+.


200K and 18 years on my altima thermostat. No problems to report. Will bury it with the car in 8 years.

 

[JetStar]

I had a run of bad aftermarket thermostats a few years back, I thought I was going nuts. After the original lasted 8 years and about 100K. The new ones (2) would last about 6 months, including a stant, which used to be good. Finally went to the dealer and bought one, which hung in there.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Any made in japan ones?

I've never seen one but I would buy one if it was available.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Any made in japan ones?

I've seen OE japanese car stats last for 100k+.


The one in my Lincoln was original until last year until I swapped it out for a 180F one. It still was working fine.

Only 21 years old

The one in my 'rents '00 Expie is OE too.

IIRC, the one I pulled from my '87 GT T-Top was OE too. Again, for a 180F one.

It isn't only the Japanese ones that last 100+K.