Good Thermostats?

[Rich_91]

Can anyone suggest a place to buy a GOOD thermostat?

I think I have another bad one. Stuck open?

Takes about 1/2hr for my car to get up to temp. Not leaking any coolant.

I am hating the thermostats I have been getting.

Changed one back in July, when I changed the waterpump. Never had a problem with it before that. Changed it only because of accessability (sp?)

Had a problem at the end of Aug, with the car running hot. Not overheating, but higher on the gauge than normal. Pulled the t-stat out, and it was siezed closed.

And again running hot in mid Sept. Same deal. I even bought a different brand that time. Pulled it out and it was stuck closed, couldnt even move it.

And now this one is stuck open?!!??

They are a PAIN to change. Would the one from the stealership be any better? I will pay the extra if I dont have to change it again for a while.

Suggestions?

Thanks.

[zukgod1]

Sorry to hear about your problems.

T be honest I don't think I've ever had a bad t stat although I've tried blaming problems on a few.

I had a cooling problem (I thought) during my original engine build  I used a STANT t stat, correct for the application but not OE quality.

I ended up swapping it out for a OE one, let me tell ya why.

I dropped both of them in a pan of water with a temp gauge and watched them open.
The OE one opened when it was supposed to and opened further then the Stant one. Also the area the coolant flows through on the Stant was smaller than the OE one. Like the Stant one was about the size of a quarter and the OE one was half again larger.
So ya OE quality for me.

Buy it from Myke_W on this board.
http://vwdiesel.net/phpBB/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=798

[clbanman]

I had problems with one from Canadian Tire, problems with one from a local jobber, and ended up getting one from Guelph VW.  End of problems.

[Quantum TD]

I use Whaler (German brand). I've never had a problem: EVER.  I use them on all my customers cars too.

[jtanguay]

Can anyone suggest a place to buy a GOOD thermostat?

I think I have another bad one. Stuck open?

Takes about 1/2hr for my car to get up to temp. Not leaking any coolant.

I am hating the thermostats I have been getting.

Changed one back in July, when I changed the waterpump. Never had a problem with it before that. Changed it only because of accessability (sp?)

Had a problem at the end of Aug, with the car running hot. Not overheating, but higher on the gauge than normal. Pulled the t-stat out, and it was siezed closed.

And again running hot in mid Sept. Same deal. I even bought a different brand that time. Pulled it out and it was stuck closed, couldnt even move it.

And now this one is stuck open?!!??

They are a PAIN to change. Would the one from the stealership be any better? I will pay the extra if I dont have to change it again for a while.

Suggestions?

Thanks.

go for  a drive with the cold motor and when the gauge is at or just before 1/4, go out and check the temp of the rad.  if its warm, then the t-stat is indeed faulty.

[Rich_91]

go for  a drive with the cold motor and when the gauge is at or just before 1/4, go out and check the temp of the rad.  if its warm, then the t-stat is indeed faulty.

Yep  :cry:

Gonna call the stealership in the morning, see how much for an OE one. Depending on the price and avail, I will either go that route, or maybe one from Myke_W

[dieselweasel]

I too use exclusively OEM thermostats.  I've used aftermarket stats in the past and they never performed like OE.  I just paid $44 + tx for one at my local dealer.  I HATE paying crazy dealer prices like that, but I hate changing the thermostat more.  While we're on the subject does anyone know why they had to put it at the bottom of the engine behind the p/s pump???  Why not at the engine end of the upper rad hose like most vehicles?  The cooling system design wouldn't have to be much different.  Of course VW has to be different.  

I did buy a Wahler stat once from www.autopartsway.ca, which worked well.  The OEM stat I took out said "Wahler" on it so perhaps they make them for VW.

[Smokey Eddy]

i second, triple, quadruple.. what ever!  the use of the OEM t-stats. Definitely a sure choice. Always check them in boiling water before you go through the hassle of installing them though. If you get a faulty one before you've installed it i'm pretty sure the stealership will swap it for you.... at least they should