Thermostat P/N

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by prichmon, Dec 20, 2009.

  1. prichmon

    prichmon New Member

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    I have found on other forums that our VFRs can use a Motorad 2000-180 just as the st1300s. Turbo city sells the 2000-180. Assuming this information is correct according to the Motorad site the pn 2000-XXX is for a 1976 Jeep CJ5 258ci.

    I would love an inexpensive more reliable replacement since I believe mine is stuck open. On a recent 22* ride the bike never got above 120* while in motion. At the lights it hit 135* but dropped back down to as low as 115 on a 65 mile ride. I was going to use a 195* thermostat to help the bike.

    Anyone have any thoughts or ideas please LMK. What is the appropriate Coolant as well? I keep hearing that no silicate based coolant is allowed.

    Thanks

    Rich
     
  2. Dominator

    Dominator New Member

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    Not sure about the 'stat but for coolant at a good price I recommend Honda Automotive coolant. It's cheaper than the bike stuff and meets all specs at $13 a gallon from your local Honda car store. For the price difference I wouldn't even bother with Prestone or Peak.
     
  3. Meatloaf

    Meatloaf New Member

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    I used the Prestone non-DexCool in my bike and haven't had any problems. 50/50 mix. It should be sufficient for anything most of our bikes will go through in the winter. I would only envision the folks in Canada maybe needing something stonger. Water Wetter or Engine Ice is fine as well.

    6th gen T-Stats open at 176*-183* and are supposed to be fully open at 203*. I wouldn't change that and would go with the 180. Any sooner and you are going to run into fuel problems as the ECU will say to dump more fuel in as an attempt to get the engine temp up to optimal running conditions and better emissions. Any higher and the engine will be hotter... for an already very hot engine.

    Good find on the replacement T-Stat. I wish I would have known this when I was replacing mine. The cost of the part doesn't bother me so much... its the reliability that I question. It is most certainly a pain to replace and I really don't want to have to do it again.
     
  4. prichmon

    prichmon New Member

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    I will be finding out for sure over the next couple of days. I have Honda coolant due to us also owning a Civic hybrid. I don't care to pay 35 for a thermostat as long as it is reliable. The Honda unit is dead at 17K. I imagine the previous owner knew this which is why he told me to make sure it was at 160* before riding. I also want local parts rather than mail order or Dealer only since I am now 30 miles from any dealer.

    Any other thoughts?

    Rich
     
  5. Dominator

    Dominator New Member

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    Most thermostats since the 70's when they went to the wax operated type fails in the closed position causing overheating.
    The old 'bellows' type failed in the open position causing slow/no warm up.
    The motorad one looks to me that it operates like a wax stat and would therefore fail in the closed position.
    It seems to have a device that when the coolant overheats it moves through an additional range and then mechanially locks in the open position and will never again close even if temperatures get back to normal.
    I've never actually seen one so I could be wrong.
    At what temperature do they lock open? The VFR's run so hot they may lock open even if there is no problem.
     
  6. Action

    Action New Member

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    The stock replacement is $27 @ Ron Ayers. If you are looking at a suitable substitute, make sure that it has the small element on the bottom that controls flow to the wax unit.

    Action
     
  7. prichmon

    prichmon New Member

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    The 2000-80 is too big. I am going to try a 2003-280. The sizing looks like 44mm OD x ~16mm over flange and 63mm total height.

    I am still looking. My thermostat was stuck open a 1/4"
     
  8. prichmon

    prichmon New Member

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    Thermostat

    Used a thermostat from a 1995 suzuki swift. It is 44mm diameter w/~19mm flange to tip height. The biggest difference is there isn't the extended lower section which limits the flow on the small bypass lines. I drilled a weep hole to allow a small amount of flow and ease burping the system. I found quite a bit of black crap in the housing. The coolant was a greenish blue color.

    We'll see how it goes.

    Rich
     
  9. VIFFER RIDER

    VIFFER RIDER New Member

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    I run no coolant at all, just water and a bottle of Redline Water Wetter. Not recommended for guys who live in colder climates, here in Socal its rare to see freezing temps which is why i run mine like that. I have a huge rack of different thermostats give me the factory dimensions and ill see if i can find one that may work.
     
  10. elwray

    elwray New Member

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    Interesting info. I'll be replacing the t-stat on my 2003 VFR soon. Stuck open, I suspect.
     
  11. prichmon

    prichmon New Member

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    I will know by the end of the week. if this is truly viable. The Thermostat fits but is not exact since this is shallower than the factory unit.
     
  12. Ben08

    Ben08 New Member

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    Hi Prichmon,

    have you tested the thermostat ?

    Thanks
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2010
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