OEM Thermostat?

Chrisbosch4 · 10-05-2009, 03:00 PM

I know many people on this board swear by real Toyota thermostats, so I was just wondering why this is. Are other ones really that bad? I am in the middle of putting my cooling system back together, and I live right by a NAPA auto parts, so would it be alright if I got one there? The website says they are of OE quality, so what are your thoughts?

jimmer411 · 10-05-2009, 05:03 PM

I dont think that the other ones are bad, I think the problem is most people dont flush their systems often. The T-stat is a valve, so its going to be the 1 place where much crud builds up at.

Remember most cars tend to be running the same coolant they left the factory in since most people dont drain the coolant unless the car blows a headgasket or has a leak.

Nothing wrong with the napa part imo, but its not like the Toyota part is absurdly expensive either.

YellowJacket · 10-05-2009, 05:51 PM

Now where did I put my double face palm pic...

jimmer411 · 10-05-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowJacket

Now where did I put my double face palm pic...

The T-Stat is a major changing point in coolant direction and its either open or closed, I dont know if you have every drained the coolant on a 20+ year old car, or flushed a rad but there is ALOT of crud in the system. That makes it a prime target for gunk to settle on.

YellowJacket · 10-05-2009, 10:23 PM

True Jimmer. The double face palm was for anyone who wants to put anything but OEM tstat.

There IS a difference in the build quality and design and its an important part of an important system of the car. For less than $30 bucks shipped to your door, its not something to cheap out on to save 10 bucks. Dont believe me, or the 90% consensus of opinion of all the MR2 experts in the world.... its your car.

Everyone can tell a child fire is hot and so dont touch it, but some kids just have to learn the hard way.

Chrisbosch4 · 10-05-2009, 10:31 PM

Ok, I believe you, I know it is very important, so thats why I'm taking the time to ask. Im going to for sure order the real toyota part.
Thanks a bunch

jimmer411 · 10-05-2009, 11:42 PM

Ive been running a schucks t-stat in my 86 since last winter without issues, tho I do have a toyota one on my desk I only ordered it to justify the 6$ to ship the 1$ shift cable clips I was ordering lol. Toyota tstats cost the same as schucks too btw.

bassman54 · 10-06-2009, 02:16 AM

I've experienced erratic temperature swings from using aftermarket thermostats on two different Toyotas. Both cars ran fine before changing thermostats, which was done as part of cooling system maintenance, not a repair. Both times the remedy was a genuine Toyota replacement part.

Say what you want about OEM vs aftermarket quality, but when it's time for a thermostat for the MR, I'll be putting in a Toyota replacement.

muffinman · 10-06-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman54

Say what you want about OEM vs aftermarket quality, but when it's time for a thermostat for the MR, I'll be putting in a Toyota replacement.

+1

te51levin · 10-06-2009, 10:57 AM

This is not just an MR2 issue. It applies to almost any Toyota old enough to have a "parts store" thermostat swapped in. We get customers in all the time who report weird behavior, poor running, slow warmup, or false overheating. They're running an aftermarket thermostat, typically because the guy at AutoZone or NAPA or whatever said it was a good one, and the customer believed them. After they buy all kinds of random parts trying to fix their "problem", they come to the dealer - not for parts, but for advice. We can usually sell them on the virtues of an OEM thermostat, and their problems tend to go away after the new 'stat is installed. Many of them even comment on how different the OEM thermostat looks from the one they have installed.

From a practical perspective, the OEM part is jut more consistent. They are built to a higher quality standard, so that they open on time, at the specified rate, and close on time, at the specified rate, every time. Without that, the ECU and engine will not be on the same page, and basically, the car won't consistently run correctly.

Cheaper parts are usually cheaper because they are made more cheaply. There are good aftermarket parts out there, but typically, a supplier looking to make a profit will lower his sales price by lowering his standards, thus allowing him to build and sell a part more cheaply. If they were all built to Toyota's standards of quality, dependability, reliability, longevity, etc ... they wouldn't be cheaper!

kbrew8991 · 10-06-2009, 11:14 AM

its an important part, I wouldn't skimp on it...

Lynxdragon · 09-30-2011, 03:36 AM

Well I just drained the cooling fluid out of my 1985 MR2 to change the water pump and thermostat, refilled it and added some radiator flush. The water is soo filthy, I mean its brown with chunks of rust and jumk. Looks like the previous 10 owners since it was in new Zealand didn't flush or change the fluid.

So Im going to leave it to soak in overnight and all day tomorrow while I drive it to give it a bloody good clean. Thumbs up for brown gloop.

Turns out some moron removed the Thermostat... Ohh well I am slowly fixing all the previous owners **** ups. I used one from Toyota.

bassman54 · 10-04-2011, 11:49 AM

The biggest problems I've had with mine was screw ups from previous owners.

10-05-2009, 03:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chrisbosch4 No Skills Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	OEM Thermostat? I know many people on this board swear by real Toyota thermostats, so I was just wondering why this is. Are other ones really that bad? I am in the middle of putting my cooling system back together, and I live right by a NAPA auto parts, so would it be alright if I got one there? The website says they are of OE quality, so what are your thoughts?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-05-2009, 05:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
jimmer411 NA > Boost Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Enumclaw, WA Posts: 112 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I dont think that the other ones are bad, I think the problem is most people dont flush their systems often. The T-stat is a valve, so its going to be the 1 place where much crud builds up at. Remember most cars tend to be running the same coolant they left the factory in since most people dont drain the coolant unless the car blows a headgasket or has a leak. Nothing wrong with the napa part imo, but its not like the Toyota part is absurdly expensive either.

10-05-2009, 05:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
YellowJacket 1985 16v NA 6-speed Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 415 Thanks: 8 Thanked 31 Times in 24 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Now where did I put my double face palm pic...

10-05-2009, 10:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
YellowJacket 1985 16v NA 6-speed Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 415 Thanks: 8 Thanked 31 Times in 24 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	True Jimmer. The double face palm was for anyone who wants to put anything but OEM tstat. There IS a difference in the build quality and design and its an important part of an important system of the car. For less than $30 bucks shipped to your door, its not something to cheap out on to save 10 bucks. Dont believe me, or the 90% consensus of opinion of all the MR2 experts in the world.... its your car. Everyone can tell a child fire is hot and so dont touch it, but some kids just have to learn the hard way.

10-05-2009, 10:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chrisbosch4 No Skills Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Ok, I believe you, I know it is very important, so thats why I'm taking the time to ask. Im going to for sure order the real toyota part. Thanks a bunch

10-05-2009, 11:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
jimmer411 NA > Boost Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Enumclaw, WA Posts: 112 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Ive been running a schucks t-stat in my 86 since last winter without issues, tho I do have a toyota one on my desk I only ordered it to justify the 6$ to ship the 1$ shift cable clips I was ordering lol. Toyota tstats cost the same as schucks too btw.

10-06-2009, 02:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
bassman54 Ol' School Skills Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 184 Thanks: 15 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I've experienced erratic temperature swings from using aftermarket thermostats on two different Toyotas. Both cars ran fine before changing thermostats, which was done as part of cooling system maintenance, not a repair. Both times the remedy was a genuine Toyota replacement part. Say what you want about OEM vs aftermarket quality, but when it's time for a thermostat for the MR, I'll be putting in a Toyota replacement.

10-06-2009, 10:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
te51levin LithiaToyotaParts.com Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Copperhead Road Posts: 3,699 Thanks: 50 Thanked 324 Times in 268 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (193/100% )	This is not just an MR2 issue. It applies to almost any Toyota old enough to have a "parts store" thermostat swapped in. We get customers in all the time who report weird behavior, poor running, slow warmup, or false overheating. They're running an aftermarket thermostat, typically because the guy at AutoZone or NAPA or whatever said it was a good one, and the customer believed them. After they buy all kinds of random parts trying to fix their "problem", they come to the dealer - not for parts, but for advice. We can usually sell them on the virtues of an OEM thermostat, and their problems tend to go away after the new 'stat is installed. Many of them even comment on how different the OEM thermostat looks from the one they have installed. From a practical perspective, the OEM part is jut more consistent. They are built to a higher quality standard, so that they open on time, at the specified rate, and close on time, at the specified rate, every time. Without that, the ECU and engine will not be on the same page, and basically, the car won't consistently run correctly. Cheaper parts are usually cheaper because they are made more cheaply. There are good aftermarket parts out there, but typically, a supplier looking to make a profit will lower his sales price by lowering his standards, thus allowing him to build and sell a part more cheaply. If they were all built to Toyota's standards of quality, dependability, reliability, longevity, etc ... they wouldn't be cheaper!

10-06-2009, 11:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
kbrew8991 gimme some turns Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,685 Thanks: 76 Thanked 82 Times in 70 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	its an important part, I wouldn't skimp on it...

09-30-2011, 03:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
Lynxdragon MK1 1985 Twin Cam 16 G Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Well I just drained the cooling fluid out of my 1985 MR2 to change the water pump and thermostat, refilled it and added some radiator flush. The water is soo filthy, I mean its brown with chunks of rust and jumk. Looks like the previous 10 owners since it was in new Zealand didn't flush or change the fluid. So Im going to leave it to soak in overnight and all day tomorrow while I drive it to give it a bloody good clean. Thumbs up for brown gloop. Turns out some moron removed the Thermostat... Ohh well I am slowly fixing all the previous owners **** ups. I used one from Toyota.

10-04-2011, 11:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
bassman54 Ol' School Skills Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 184 Thanks: 15 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	The biggest problems I've had with mine was screw ups from previous owners.