Performed my own Mr. Gasket Thermostat test

[spyder_xlch]

Scott, that just goes to show you never know when an electrical part will go bad and you can't assume a new one is good just because it's new or name brand. Same way with a thermostat. You might have one that's 5 years old and you figure it's time to change it so you do. That old thermostat might have lasted another 15 years. The new one might not work at all. You just never know. It's so easy to test a thermostat and (on older cars like ours) is easy to get to.

[patrick1151]

I finally got around to installing my new Stant 180* thermostat in my car today. I tested it first, dumping it in a pot of boiling water and it opened right up, right away. I had no way to actually test the water temperature of the pot but it was boiling pretty good.

[Astre-mutt]

[quote="patrick1151"]I finally got around to installing my new Stant 180* thermostat in my car today. I tested it first, dumping it in a pot of boiling water and it opened right up, right away. I had no way to actually test the water temperature of the pot but it was boiling pretty good.[/quote

Water boils at 200 degrees. You should have put the thermostat in the water before it boils. As long as it opens before 200 degrees, your 180 would be good.

At least you know it opens. Right Josh?

[v8astregt]

If I remember my thermodynamics properly, I think water actually boils at 212*, so heavily boiling water isn't the best indicator... best to get a thermometer and check the temp. I know my one thermostat didn't open at a full boil, which explains why my gauge went straight to 240* and wouldn't cool no matter how much I sprayed the radiator, or how fast I drove.

[cjbiagi]

I am using a Robertshaw hi flow thermostat. Seems to work fine.

[SunbirdMan]

Clyde, rumor is that Mr Gasket and Robert Shaw are the same. I went to Robert Shaws website and can't find any evidence that they are still making automotive t-stats. Flowcooler sells Robertshaw and Stewart has a modified version, but I couldn't find any stores around here that sell them under that name.

[cjbiagi]

Hmmm, ok, well I think that's what is is but can't be positive. I know I did get a "high flow" one and at 160 degrees it seems to keep things pretty cool. I actually installed this before I got the Griffin aluminum, so it's been in there quite a while. I think it's certainly good insurance whenever replacing a thermostat to test it with a quality thermometer before installing it based on these comments.

[heinz057]

http://www.mr-gasket.com/PressReleaseDe ... x?id=35651

[spyder_xlch]

If I remember my thermodynamics properly, I think water actually boils at 212*

If you want to get technical water boils at 212° at sea level. Don't ask me what a rise in altitude does for the boiling point.

[Astre-mutt]

If I remember my thermodynamics properly, I think water actually boils at 212*

If you want to get technical water boils at 212° at sea level. Don't ask me what a rise in altitude does for the boiling point.

In Denver it's 202 degrees. So when I said 200 technically I was wrong in only 75% of the country. (if you can give me 2 degrees of slack)

[spyder_xlch]

So I guess every mile above sea level lowers the boiling point 10°. Speaking of Denver, if you live there and have sex are you in the mile high club?

[OldsStarfire]

"In Denver it's 202 degrees. So when I said 200 technically I was wrong in only 75% of the country."

Thats F'n funny !

[mldeolde]

only if you are in a plane but in this case, due to a technicality, you could make a case for it even if the plane was only on the taxiway. usually the party doesn't start that early due to the pilots insisting on every one having thier seatbelts on during taxi and take off. darn party poopers!!!!!!!!!

[monzabug350]

Just a few old school tricks for t-stats. Start eng,let it idle and warm up.feel top hose/bottom hose.Bottom hot,top cold,temp gauge reading hot,check t-stat.(after cool down) Second trick: Remove rad cap,start eng let idle,watch coolant and temp gauge,if gauge reads hot,and water isnt moving,check t-stat. Ive had good luck with Stants,and OEM units,and I dont trust much of any thing made outside the U.S. I bought a rear tranny mount from Advance Auto a while back,took it out of the box at the counter and that thing was the UGGGGLLLLLYYYYESSSST POS I had ever seen! The parts man goes"DDDDDAAAAAAMMMMM!!!" So I got a Moog unit (10$more) and it was beautiful ! As the saying goes, dont assume its ok,CHECK IT! Oh yeah,if you are going to buy electrical parts take a dvom with you and check it before you pay for it,saves you another trip to the store.Last of all read the print on the box,some say made in USA,thats the box,not whats inside.

[lincolnolli]

Honestly,i'm so p...d with all the thermostats over the years that i run restrictors
in all my cars.Most of the time 0.010 smaller than a gutted thermostat does the trick for me.

Ollie