thermostat replacement
 

Howdy,
Glad I found this forum. I own an '05 CRD, bought it new and have 110K miles on it. Love it. When I first got it, the temp guage would sit right at vertical like it was glued there, winter, summer, even towing up passes. Not so now. It wants to overheat in the summer going up passes, I have to downshift to keep the rpms up and my foot lighter on the pedal. And now in the winter, it runs cool so the heater barely works. So I figure time for a new thermostat. NAPA & Autozone don't have it. Dealer wants $155. I find one online at Autopartswarehouse for $69. When it arrives there is a little problem, it is missing one nipple for the little hose that runs up to the top of the reservoir. What is this line for? Can I live without it? Did some models not have this line? If I need it, where can I get the right one for under $100?
Thanks for listening.
Steve

There was a guy onthe lost jeep forum that was making a serviceable thermostat. IMO if you don't get his pony up the money and get the right one from the dealer.


Ryan
Sent from Outer Space

Thanks for the reply, Ryan. While I was preparing to install the new thermostat, I first drained some antifreeze out of the radiator. Then I noticed the lack of one nipple on the replacement. So I filled the radiator back up, leaving the original thermostat in, and noticed that I had to add more antifreeze than I had drained. The reservoir has always been at the right level, but apparently the radiator was not full. Anyway, filling up the radiator has fixed the low temp problem, which means the heater now works. I think I'm going to have to wait till this summer to see if this has fixed the overheating while towing a trailer up a pass problem. Here's hoping.

Steve

If nothing else, there's a lot of guys who have been claiming great results with a $12 Stant thermostat, over on lost jeeps. I just ordered one for mine. It's an inline thermostat, just pull off the hose, and install, I think the only mod a few of them have done is drill a small hole at 12 o clock, to keep the pressures from spiking. It's worth a shot, if nothing else.

Do not go without the little nipple for the hose!

This little hose is responsible for the venting of the coolant line. It is the air escape line to the resevoir. Without this line you highly risk engine head fail. due to thermal hot spots caused by the trapped air in the head. Keep that line always free of dirt and goo accumulation!
It is a common problem in europe!

Check the thermostat- throw it into a bucket filled with veggie oil and boil it, plain water will boil to early - watch the thermostat opening. There is a minimum valve movement of (afaik) 6mm- if not reaching that movement,- replace it!
Get the OE thermostat- I know it hurts in the wallet- but a replacement head will hurt you a lot more...
The cheap replacement thermostats are not up to specs.
If you have serious trouble to get a new one, I can ask how much it will be from the manufacturer. Including shipping it will be a fraction of the cost of Chrysler.

The VM Motori engine needs a 50/50 antifreeze at all times minimum! the recommended mixture is 60% coolant, 40% water. This is important to avoid the cavitation effect on the head!

2003 CRD
 

How to find a thermostat housing.
none local and US only has 2005 on

Europe?:w2:

Whats wrong with your housing?
:humm:

Jeep CRD
 

Housing and thermostat are a one piece item. not common and not cheap.
I am in the desert town of Kalgoorlie Western Australia
Perth is 600km away and nothing there

Hmm, do have a serial number for this?
I just checked the part in the parts catalog- yes it is one piece. I could cross check with my dealer or with the general maintenance and part dealer.
You are lucky im in europe,lol

part#05072705AB