Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but I recently ordered a Genuine Mini thermostat and want to make sure I received the real thing. Does MotoRad make the genuine thermostat? It looks like it has the newer "good" gasket (clear-ish white, silicone?) and the correct temp rating.

Different but related question: Does a thermostat leak after around 2 years seem normal? My shop replaced it around 2 years ago and I've had a slow leak recently (t-stat housing picture below). I'm replacing the thermostat and housing just to be sure (hopefully), but 2 years and not quite 10,000 miles seems like it didn't last very long.

(new thermostat, genuine?)


(old housing with signs of leaking from old t-stat)

 

I can't answer your direct question but I had a new thermostat go bad in 2 weeks. The pin that presses on the arched part on the top just disappeared,
I got one at an AutoZone, and I "think" it was a Bosch brand and so far so good, [a month so not a big test]

A leak is not necessarily the T-Stat but is usually the gasket or the housing. I replaced the composite housing on mine with an aluminum one and so far no leaks.

BMW has a pretty good system for the T-Stat in that the gasket is in a groove on both sides so it's "captured". But you do need to be a little careful to tighten the bolts evenly. Also you need to make sure the T-Stat is in the gasket correctly. There's little indentations around the outside of the T-Stat that go into little nubs in the gasket. Easy to miss.

The strange thing was the one I bought didn't have the indentations or the nubs so I had to use the old one to make sure the t-stat was oriented correctly.

rob

 

Thanks for the info. It's not the most difficult job, but getting everything in there without shifting is a little tricky.

Seems like a pressure test would be a good idea before filling the coolant and putting everything back together. I guess I don't have to put the entire front end back on just to crank it and let it warm up in the driveway.

 

I'm not sure if you would have a need for this for brakes or brake bleeding, but the cap does fit the overflow coolant tank and can be uses to pressure test the cooling system.


robj

 

Wahler was the OEM and have the little Chrysler symbol as its shared. Looks like the newer ones say Motorad on the side.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/11537596787/

 

Great! Thanks for confirming.

@robj that's a good suggestion, I've had my eye on those for brake fluid flushes but haven't pulled the trigger.