Long lasting radiator thermostat - which brands are durable?

JulesW

JulesW

A2OC Donor
I'm sure I replaced it not long after buying it in May 2020. But it appears from the ODBII reader that it's running cool again.
Which brands are long lasting? Do any run a little warmer than 90C as a choice i.e. not just poorly made.
Just checked my eBay history and it was July 2020, and although it said Volkswagen was the manufacturer, in the small print it does say 87C. This appears to be the design specification actually.
Who would you choose as the manufacturer?
 
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If you have access to a good contact thermometer, or an infra red one, check that the thermostat is actually open, by measuring the temperature either side of it. Don't forget, even when it's closed coolant still circulates around the engine, and the heater matrix, (cabin heat is flap controlled, not coolant flow).
Check the fan isn't running when it shouldn't, although, if the AC is On, it runs anyway, I think.
Mac.
 
The ODB readers software was saying that the coolant temperature was dropping down into 70s and I think as low as 67C. I do have an IR thermometer somewhere around the house that I should use.
 
JulesW said:
The ODB readers software was saying that the coolant temperature was dropping down into 70s and I think as low as 67C. I do have an IR thermometer somewhere around the house that I should use.
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Not sure where the sensor is on your engine. That seems very cool, (to me), for engine outflow.
If the thermostat is open, then the engine return, after the rad will be even cooler, by quite a bit. Not good for engine efficiency or wear I'm surprised thermostats seem so unreliable. Such a simple device, and a design that goes back to the days of yore.
Mac.
 
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