I am going to change my thermostat tomorrow and have bought one from the local motor factors for £5.29 do you think it will be ok or should i pay the £24 for the original from the main stealer's

thanks

Jon

I have had a pattern part stat that didn't work properly in the past. It was replaced FOC but the hassle of fitting and then removing and refitting another is something only you can put a price on.

Chuck it in a bowl of boiling water and see if it opens and then let it cool again and see if it closes before fitting. The first one I had was closed when i fitted it but open when I took it out again, even though it was cold. Also, I had to buy a new seal seperately as it wasn't included with the pattern part but I believe it is with a dealer part. Only a few pence I know but as it is only a few pence, why don't they give you one?

Only edited to say that as you have the pattern part already, just see if it works. Mine is still a pattern part and works fine now. It's just the hassle of doing the job twice because I didn't check it first.

Edited 5 February, 201016 yr by andy-fisher

I have had a pattern part stat that didn't work properly in the past. It was replaced FOC but the hassle of fitting and then removing and refitting another is something only you can put a price on.

Chuck it in a bowl of boiling water and see if it opens and then let it cool again and see if it closes before fitting. The first one I had was closed when i fitted it but open when I took it out again, even though it was cold. Also, I had to buy a new seal seperately as it wasn't included with the pattern part but I believe it is with a dealer part. Only a few pence I know but as it is only a few pence, why don't they give you one?

Only edited to say that as you have the pattern part already, just see if it works. Mine is still a pattern part and works fine now. It's just the hassle of doing the job twice because I didn't check it first.

Haven't replaced the stat, but would have more confidence in the Skoda part. I bought an engine temp sensor off ebay using the correct part number. Ebay one was way cheaper, but gave a low reading (70 degrees) constantly. Bought the genuine part from the dealers and all is well - sits bang on 90 degrees.

I just replaced my 'stat with one from ebay - turned out to be sold by Jorrily and it is a decent Febi Bilstein one.

Cost £6.40 including postage and a new o-ring and it seems spot on. Dealer price is an absolute rip-off.

Car now running bang on 90 degrees and fuel consumption has increased by at least 4-5 mpg (it was running at ~72 degrees before replacement).