Which Thermostat?

[thewayiseeit240]

I have a 2000 Saturn SL SOHC 1.9L
I have searched around and read the 'checklist' but come up dry.
I'm pretty sure I need a thermostat due to temp reading 1/4 all the time.
I have replaced ECTS and still get 1/4 reading.
The only other thing I need to replace is the intake manifold gasket but besides that I do not know which STAT # to get.
14279 or 35279?
and does it come with a gasket/o-ring?
thank you.

[coolgreany]

Originally Posted by thewayiseeit240

The only other thing I need to replace is the intake manifold gasket but besides that I do not know which STAT # to get.
14279 or 35279?

According to the checklist "It is recommended to replace this with a STANT 14279 188/195 degrees F thermostat."

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by thewayiseeit240

I have a 2000 Saturn SL SOHC 1.9L
I have searched around and read the 'checklist' but come up dry.
I'm pretty sure I need a thermostat due to temp reading 1/4 all the time.
I have replaced ECTS and still get 1/4 reading.
The only other thing I need to replace is the intake manifold gasket but besides that I do not know which STAT # to get.
14279 or 35279?

Yep, you'll need a thermostat, if you've checked the ECTS connector and all was well for re-using (IOW, no damage and no green icky corrosion)

and yes, 14279 is what you need.

Originally Posted by thewayiseeit240

and does it come with a gasket/o-ring?

Yeah, but most people have found that it's a smidge too big and it won't go in the groove properly (hence why I personally never replaced my gasket and there were no obvious leaks; YMMV). I believe you can order another gasket for the thermostat, though.

Originally Posted by thewayiseeit240

thank you.

No problem.

[OldNuc]

The gasket is oversized by design. Set the 4 corners and then compress each side into the grove.

STANT 14279 for the thermostat. Not the CarQuest look alike...

[Signmaster]

Originally Posted by OldNuc

The gasket is oversized by design.

Yes, I'm sure they design the ring to not fit in the groove just to create frustration and annoy buyers.

There is thread after thread of oversized O-rings beyond the size that can be forced into the groove. Likewise more than a few threads concerning the early failures in the Stant units that have to be replaced early in their life.



A simple part such as a thermostat will likely never have 100% quality control, but when I see a trend of problems I move away. The "preferred" part seems to be one with a trend of problems.

[TXSaturn02]

Originally Posted by signmaster

a simple part such as a thermostat will likely never have 100% quality control, but when i see a trend of problems i move away. The "preferred" part seems to be one with a trend of problems.

^^^ +1

[OldNuc]

Your complaining is out of date, no recent complaints. O-ring seems to fit just fine.

[Montreal300]

I just replaced mine last week, The O ring did seem to be a bit oversized and wanted to pop out. However, a couple of dabs of silicaone to hold in place solved the issue.

[OldNuc]

To seal properly it is supposed to be a tight fit against the outside edge of the recess. If you roll it in it will promptly roll back out. A couple spots of RTV will hold it in though as you explained above.

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by TXSaturn02

^^^ +1

agreed; heck alordofchaos and myself got the classic Stant syndrome -- broken or completely removed rubber seal in the part that goes into the housing!

In all fairness, it's the design of the thermostat itself, NOT Stant's fault. it is the reason why you hardly see thermostats designed like ours.

[Signmaster]

Originally Posted by OldNuc

Your complaining is out of date, no recent complaints. O-ring seems to fit just fine.

It's a shame a post an hour after your shows that an an incorrect statement. Please keep making excuses for what is probably the most often failing unit you find when you search the forums.

Originally Posted by OldNuc

Set the 4 corners and then compress each side into the grove.

How exactly do you find the corner of a circle?





A quick search will show a fairly high number of Stant failures at short use periods, and plenty of improperly sized O-rings, along with a number of excuses why both occur.

Personally I would buy anything that fits the stock housing other than the standard Stant unit everyone keeps buying.

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by Signmaster

Personally I would buy anything that fits the stock housing other than the standard Stant unit everyone keeps buying.

OK, find a non-stant thermostat which trips between 188-195 degrees F like the stant and has somewhat better build quality. Bonus points if it fits in the existing housing and you don't have to get a custom housing.

I'll be waiting.

[Signmaster]

Originally Posted by adventureoflink

OK, find a non-stant thermostat which trips between 188-195 degrees F like the stant and has somewhat better build quality. Bonus points if it fits in the existing housing and you don't have to get a custom housing.

I'll be waiting.

NAPA 268. I've run one for years and it runs the same place on the gauge as the markings of those with Stants. It also more closely resembles what shipped in my car, and despite claims to the contrary is stamped "Made in Germany".

For that matter most replacement thermostats fit in the stock housing, and I've yet to see anyone state early failures with other brands vs the Stants.

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by Signmaster

NAPA 268. I've run one for years and it runs the same place on the gauge as the markings of those with Stants. It also more closely resembles what shipped in my car, and despite claims to the contrary is stamped "Made in Germany".

For that matter most replacement thermostats fit in the stock housing, and I've yet to see anyone state early failures with other brands vs the Stants.

Then I'll have to keep that in mind next time my Stant wants to bite the dust.. thanks buddy

[Signmaster]

Originally Posted by adventureoflink

Then I'll have to keep that in mind next time my Stant wants to bite the dust.. thanks buddy

In my case I tend to use whatever works and doesn't fail. If you do a search for Txsaturn02 I'm fairly sure he used one of the units with the unique housing, yet it works the same as his OEM, and is market with the same temp markings and "Made in Germany" the same as his OEM.

Personally I'd just stay away from the ones the run real cool, regardless of what the brand. And if I had early failures with the NAPA or any other brand, warn everyone else with a post on the forums. A single failure is one thing, but if there is a trend within any specific brand or type it can be a red flag to anyone else.

Some sites even claim the NAPA units are a Stant Superstat. I'm not sure if this is true of all NAPA units or not. I just know the unit I got is not of the same design as the Stant units people here tend to use, and it's worked fine.

[thewayiseeit240]

Will red RTV be alright to hold in the o-ring gasket or do I need black?
I understand the thermostat should only go in one way, does the position need to be in specific direction, like some thermostats have the jiggle valve needing to be facing in the up in the 12 o'clock direction?
Maybe this thermo doesn't have jiggle valve, idk.
What is the thermostat housing torque specs?
thank you all for this informative help, much appreciated.

[TXSaturn02]

Originally Posted by Signmaster

In my case I tend to use whatever works and doesn't fail. If you do a search for Txsaturn02 I'm fairly sure he used one of the units with the unique housing, yet it works the same as his OEM, and is market with the same temp markings and "Made in Germany" the same as his OEM.

Yep. I can't remember the brand. I just went to Autozone and asked for a thermostat for my car. They brought it out and it looked IDENTICAL to the one that came originally with my car. It has been in there for four years without issue, and it was indeed "Made in Germany". Labeled 85, assuming that meant 185 degrees? Dunno. The original from the factory had the exact same markings.

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by TXSaturn02

Yep. I can't remember the brand. I just went to Autozone and asked for a thermostat for my car. They brought it out and it looked IDENTICAL to the one that came originally with my car. It has been in there for four years without issue, and it was indeed "Made in Germany". Labeled 85, assuming that meant 185 degrees? Dunno. The original from the factory had the exact same markings.

I'm pretty sure that would be 85 degrees C (but would still be 185 degrees F).

[alordofchaos]

I didn't have a problem with the fitment of the O ring gasket on either of my Stants; first one done mid-08, I think, or the one a month or so ago

[ehunter]

I also did not have a problem with the O-ring on my Stant.

Suppose everybody used the Stants and nothing else. That would make it pretty dammed hard to catch complaints for any other thermostat.

Point is, the Stants are the most popular IMHO... so of course "if" there are complaints, most likely it will be from the Stants. I have not noticed any complaint posts and if there are some, I would be taking things with a grain of salt as as many nubie DYIers screw up and not notice things or do things that would cause the units to fail or not operate properly.