Thermostat question

5

5150caz

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Victorville, CA

• Jan 28, 2016

• #1

I have a 195deg. thermostat in my xj and its only about 3 years old. When its cool out, my gauge gets up to 195 and drops to about 150 then gets back up to 195 and then drops to 150 etc. My question is, is this normal? I thought it should stay close to 195 all the time. Could it be a bad thermostat. I'm used to my wifes car and my car staying right in the middle but the jeep jumps back and fourth.

 

Last edited: Jan 28, 2016

David_Bricker

PSR Fire Marshall

NAXJA Member

Location

Upstate NY-live; Death Valley-play; Hawaii-almost

• Jan 28, 2016

• #2

Sounds like the thermostat is starting to stick. I'd replace it with a new therm at your earliest convenience, rather than wait for it to fail, possible stuck closed.

I'd also recommend something like a Stant Fail Safe. They have a wax plug that melts if the system gets too hot because of a stuck thermostat, or other overheating condition, forcing it completely open.

David Bricker / SYR

 

5

5150caz

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Victorville, CA

• Jan 28, 2016

• #3

I bought this thermostat at Autozone. Should I avoid getting another one there? I would think they should last longer then 3 years.

 

Johnnie Walker

Piece of Fish!

NAXJA Member

Location

WA state

• Jan 28, 2016

• #4

Stant Premium or CQ blue box premium (same as stant premium) last I knew.

 

johnnyc

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Member

Location

La Habra, CA

• Jan 28, 2016

• #5

I tend to avoid the Duralast and Valucraft lines that Autozone sells. I recently bought a NAPA Premium thermostat (about $8). The box said it was a Superstat made in the USA.

 

Tim_MN

Freakish Hand Strength

NAXJA Member

Location

Minneapolis, MN

• Jan 28, 2016

• #6

Get a basic Stant, or genuine Jeep T-stat. Don't get a fail safe type.

Cheap crappy parts with a 'Lifetime Warranty" are usually poor quality and have a short service life. Cheap parts are cheap for a reason.

 

5

5150caz

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Victorville, CA

• Jan 28, 2016

• #7

Thanks guys

 

iluv83vettes

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Houston

• Jan 28, 2016

• #8

Mopar brand T-stat from the dealer. They aren't much more than parts house ones and when you take into consideration time to swap and getting more RTV or a new gasket they end up being a wash or cheaper.

 

techno1154

NAXJA Member

NAXJA Member

Location

In the islands

• Jan 28, 2016

• #9

Tim_MN said:

Get a basic Stant, or genuine Jeep T-stat. Don't get a fail safe type.

Cheap crappy parts with a 'Lifetime Warranty" are usually poor quality and have a short service life. Cheap parts are cheap for a reason.

Click to expand...

iluv83vettes said:

Mopar brand T-stat from the dealer. They aren't much more than parts house ones and when you take into consideration time to swap and getting more RTV or a new gasket they end up being a wash or cheaper.

Click to expand...

Both these guys are 100% correct. I had the same problem as you back in 2001 while in CT/NY area in the winter. A dealership bought genuine Mopar solved the problem and is still going strong today.