Thermostat 82C +/ 2 Degrees vs, Thermostat 82C +/ 4 Degrees

[Judge2]

What is the difference between these two thermostat designations? My car runs cold now, and I think I'd rather have it run warmer in the cold months, which should I pick??

[Kenny_McCormic]

Read the definition of tolerances.

[Judge2]

Originally Posted by JJJJJJ

Get the factory thermostat, it's under $15 from the dealer and is better built than all aftermarket versions.

Thank you, but that wasn't dealer prices here. Dealer here asked for $24.19 for the thermostat, and $7.75 for the gasket.

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by JJJJJJ

Get the factory thermostat, it's under $15 from the dealer and is better built than all aftermarket versions.

What he said. As a general rule, aftermarket thermonstats suck, and it's not like Toyota OEM one is obscenely expensive. OTOH, why bother to change your current thermo unless you think it's broken? 82C is the "standard" 5S-FE thermostat temperature.

And what do you mean by the "car runs cold"? Heater doesn't put out too well, or the temp gauge is way lower than normal (which is somewhat below the halfway point on the gauge) or something else?

Oh, and to directly answer your question, the thermo with the tighter tolerance (+/- 2) will be "better" (hold the engine temp closer to the 82C nominal) that the one with the sloppier +/-4 degree tolerance. Doesn't necessarily mean that the +/-2 thermostat has better long-term reliability, 'tho.

[Judge2]

What I mean by the car running cold, is that on cold days, ( below 40% F) the gauge is way less than half, the car takes a long time to come up to heat, and the heater is weak, especially on cold days when the gauge is registering low. The reason I want to fix it, is because I'm planning a trip to the mountains, and I don't want to be cold. Also I've read that the car runs more efficiently and with less engine wear when run at the engineered temperature..

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by Judge2

What I mean by the car running cold, is that on cold days, ( below 40% F) the gauge is way less than half, the car takes a long time to come up to heat, and the heater is weak, especially on cold days when the gauge is registering low. The reason I want to fix it, is because I'm planning a trip to the mountains, and I don't want to be cold. Also I've read that the car runs more efficiently and with less engine wear when run at the engineered temperature..

OK, gotcha. Yeah, sounds like the thermostat is stuck open at the moment, so replacing it is a good idea.

Might want to see if the dealer will negotiate. 1sttoyota.com lists it for $14.23, gasket $3.85 (but shipping and handling is $9.95). If you mention that you can get the OEM part mail order for those prices (neglecting to mention the shipping), they might at least meet you at someplace reasonable.

[Judge2]

Changing the thermostat was super easy. drained down the antifreeze. Two very accessible 10 mm bolts. (I used both a 1/4 ratchet drive on one, and a 3/8 ratchet drive on the other. Super easy to do.

Maybe I will regret it, but with the labor being so easy, I went the easier way with the cheaper Kragen/O'reily parts for $10 for both, rather than $30 both from dealer. Even though the difference is only $20 dollars, it is also three times as much.

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by Judge2

Changing the thermostat was super easy. drained down the antifreeze. Two very accessible 10 mm bolts. (I used both a 1/4 ratchet drive on one, and a 3/8 ratchet drive on the other. Super easy to do.

Maybe I will regret it, but with the labor being so easy, I went the easier way with the cheaper Kragen/O'reily parts for $10 for both, rather than $30 both from dealer. Even though the difference is only $20 dollars, it is also three times as much.

Don't come whining back here when the thermostat fails closed and the engine gets ruined overheating. Just enjoy that saved $20.