Just got more parts in for the radiator replacement. Gates 195 degree thermostat does not move when I pour boiling water on it. Will try again in morning, but I think it is dead.

 

Put it in the pan and raise the temp. It should open. Monitor the temp.
There's probably a Youtube video on it...

 

After I watched a couple of YouTube videos that is what I did earlier today, with a thermometer that only goes to 190. So when it got to 190, I pulled the thermometer out and let it boil. Nothing moved.

Got home from dinner and did a different method that I saw in a different video. Placed it in a glass dish, boiled water in a pan, poured the water over it and it still didn't move.
Method 2, but it is a 180:

 

Been known to happen.
One guy here said he went through 4 and finally the 5th one was good.
People will say only buy a Mopar one.
Then another guy posts that his Mopar one was bad out of the box.
I replaced mine when I first got my '00 about 6 years ago.
I used the cheap Napa one.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MRD2...ndex=Universal

When I did my water pump awhile back I also bought a new thermostat housing too.
I bought a new thermostat, I think it was a Stant Superstat, but did not use it cause the Napa one still worked.
Was afraid of going through the "bad out of the box" scenario.
Go figure.

 

Been there done that. With both radiator caps and theromstats. Had a MOPAR radiator cap DOA. System wouldn't hold any pressure. NAPA one worked fine. Go figure. It's just luck of the draw. Any mass produced item will have defects.

 

OK, will run by the dealer this AM and get one see how it tests.

Edit: Dealer could not get one until Tuesday, and it was $33. BTW, if you are in the Knoxville, TN area, Cogdill Dodge parts department opens at 7AM on Saturdays, not 9AM like their website indicates.

Went to O'Reilly, got a Murray brand 195 degree thermostat, $5.99 and it tested fine.

Now to let everything cool back off so I can get this done.

 

That price difference (gouging) is exactly why I refuse to buy anything from the dealership. Every single part I have ever replaced on my Jeep has been locally sourced or from Rock Auto and I have never had one of these items bad where I could justify the "should have gone to the dealership" thought process often expressed.

At this point, if you were to add up all the money saved by avoiding the dealership I wouldn't even blink when I finally get a defective brand new part. Like mentioned above, any mass produced item is bound to have a failure eventually.

 

Sometimes you have no choice. I paid $400 for the rear driveshaft on my 2014 KL at the dealer. The shaft is non-servicable with four cv-joints, and two carrier bearings exposed to the elements. One bad bearing you have to replace the whole damn thing. I really should have been a recall on it, imo. At least the local dealer priced matched the online pricing from other dealers.

 

I've had a bad brand new Stant brand thermostat. It would actually open at 160 even though it had 180 stamped on it. I forget what vehicle that was for.

Heard about bad thermostats for years it definitely happens

 

Rock Auto is issuing me a refund and said to hold onto the part for 2 weeks in case they want it shipped back to them.

 

Good thing you checked it first...

 

Its almost mandatory with any vehicle.

I drilled a 1/16" hole to help bleed mine..came without any hole, also appears to open earlier than the 91C stamped on it

 

Stant Superstats are designed to open slowly so the engine isn't subjected to a rush of cold water. I would assume a 180* would begin to crack open at 160*. I've used Stant for more years than I care to admit and only had 1 that hung fully open. AND they are only about $4.

 

That would explain why it opened so soon but it definitely wouldnt crack open it would just let her rip. I'm not saying anything bad about stant cause they are my preferred brand aswell.

 

Well ... will complete this install in the morning, I hope.