Like I said, wasn't trying to start a pissing match. I have seen numerous posts during my time here where it has been said "only use Mopar". Now admittedly, I don't read each and every thread so i'm only commenting about the ones I have read. However, there seems to be a good amount of individuals who say "only use Mopar".

To each their own, I was just expressing my thoughts. If someone chooses to use Mopar, good on them, if they choose to use a Chinese alternative, good on the. All I was saying is for the OP to replace the thermostat with whatever brand his little heart desires.

Now, back to looking for the that piece of wood to knock on because this is the most my poor Jeep's replacement parts have ever been discussed.

 

Nah, we're just discussing.



Sensors. CPS and 02, at least. Quite a few recommend never going astray from The Pure Way Of Mopar when it comes to these two.

That doesn't mean you have to buy them from the dealer, though. There are many online sources.

 

This^^.

I should write a novel about my experiences with aftermarket stats.

 

Well, I guess I'm the odd man out. I've seen posts that state that Mopar is the best option (and I agree on the CPS), but not the "only option". A recommendation is different than stating, "you absolutely must use Mopar". There are other parts that I prefer Mopar for, the oil pressure sender for example, but I would never say that it's the only option.

I personally have never had a bad thermostat in any vehicle I own, and I usually buy Stant. I'm currently running a Murray. I just test them and put them in. I've just been lucky, I'd imagine.


jpz, I'm not sure how you define "pissing match", but IMO there's nothing wrong with a bit of discussion on the topic.

 

Pissing match would be anything beyond discussing. So far, this hasn't become one, which is good because it's way too easy for a keyboard commando to take it there. This has gotten a bit off topic, and I'd bet the OP is probably a little overwhelmed with all the notifications of responses to his original thread. ha ha. We are not providing much help for him anymore.

Regardless, use whatever parts make you happy. That was the point of my now well over hyped comment.

 

Hell, we get off on tangents around here all the time. But I agree, it's not of much help to him.


Carry on then...

 

Would you rebuild an engine and then re-use the old belts?

Same goes for t-stat, hoses, plugs, wires, etc. They are consumable items that need replacement periodically.

 

When I replaced my transmission solenoids I bought a complete set off ebay for less than $100.00. It came with a new filter and gasket. To replace the solenoids in my AW4 using OEM Mopar parts would have cost over $700.00. Needless to say I replaced mine with the ebay set. And to be honest, I looked very closely at the solenoids when I removed them and compared them with the ones I bought. They were the same. I don't mean close, I mean exactly the same. Same gold tinted metal mounts on two of them, same color metal mount on the third, same color plastic housing and color external parts, looked to be of the same manufacture quality of the ones I removed. I can't say if the transmission had ever been worked on before but I have owned the XJ for over ten years now. I had replaced the filter as well as putting on a new gasket prior to doing the solenoid replacement a couple of years ago. Just saying.....

 

I would use ebay solenoids also.

This thermostat deal from the dealer is a whole different thing. On 3 Jeeps, I went through 6 Stant Superstats.

Vehicles wouldn't warm up quickly and when it was hot outside, the temp would go to 215 and then down to 190.

Went factory and now when it's 20*F outside, I have heat when driving just 3 miles without a warmup idling and when hot, stays right at 195. Smooth and steady.

 

I.. I was going to do that. pffpfpf

But, in my defense.. my belt is still mostly new.. I had just replaced it before the engine finally died. I SWEAR!

 

x2 - Just discussing (it is a forum after all).

At the end of the day, nobody is FORCING you to use a Mopar t-stat or CPS, it's just that there are a few parts like that where the number/frequency of problems with anything else become so prolific that it's asking for trouble to use something else. Some things are worse than others and like Mark said, you can often find the Mopar parts at prices that are competitive with the aftermarket. For example, when looking at new hardware for my leaf springs, I could order the Mopar bolts for $6/e at Rockauto, or order a 10.9 grade bolt from a hardware supplier for $6/e -- no reason in that case to NOT get the Mopar and have 100% certainty it'll work.

 

I've had 3 bad 'out of the box' Stant thermostats. 4th was good.

 

Factor in the time and frustration and the Mopar one is a smoking deal!!!

 

4 for 4 good Stant XJ specific thermostats over here. Maybe I have just been lucky over the years.

 

Yep.