I know everyone recommends mazda oem thermostats, and i know its becuase they are the best. My dilemna is to get one mazda says 6 weeks for it and the lower rad hose. Read the threads, and whatnot they are not built to the same caliber, but 6 weeks is rediculous

Is there a best brand of non OEM t-stats to go with or is it one of those you are totally gonna regret not getting the oem one?

Cheers

 

try www.mazdatrix.com

 

i cant get their cart to work. i put items in my cart and go to checkout and it says my cart is empty. I have tried LOL

 

Got it to work, had to use an older version of IE, apologize for the virtually useless thread

 

I got a black dragon one (180) and its perfectly fine

 

It's not totally useless. The reason folks say not to use the generic t-stat is that the Mazda one has an extra feature, which is a plunger on the bottom. Traditional t-stats allow the coolant to recirculate in the block until it opens, and it opens both the recirculation path and the radiator path. The Mazda t-stat uses the plunger on the end to actively cap off the recirc path do drive more flow through the radiator. With most cheapos, you won't find this plunger and you'll lose cooling capacity.

 

I did not know that thanks crit!

 

The valuecraft at autozone has the spring and same temp 180 F. The beck arnley one is crap and the spring is like just one cheap coil.

 

Atkins has them.

 

or call mazdatrix at 562-426-7960 For Parts Ordering, and General info

 

I totally disagree with paying Mazda prices ($20 - $25) for a thermostat that is no better than the generic replacements you can get at autozone, discount auto, etc, for $5-7.

The only things you need to watch out for:

(A) be sure it fits (ie has the exact same dimensions as stock).

(B) be sure it has the jiggle pin (I think this is what Crit is talking about), it needs to point up during the installation to allow gases to escape.

(C) get one that opens at the right temp (180-185 degrees F).

(D) don't trust the guy or gal behind the counter or their parts catalogues, they tend to be very unreliable.

I like the duralast thermostats from autozone, they seem to be made better than the mazda ones, work fine and are very inexpensive, saving $$$ for other stuff.

Ray

 

Here is my # too 253-848-7776 or you can send me a PM to order parts also..

Dan

 

as a note, Dan Atkins and the company Atkins Rotary are an excellent company to do business with. they won't steer you wrong, have great advice, excellent engines and have been around for quite awhile.

 

And they have Cool Oil Filters.

 

+1 on that, i get my T-Stats at autozone and have had no capacity/cooling issues whatsoever

 

Stant sucks. Only use OEM.