New Robert Shaw Thermostat Failure
10-24-2017, 12:29 PM
#1
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New Robert Shaw Thermostat Failure
I installed this 195 degree Robert Shaw (Mr. Gasket) thermostat late this summer and it apparently failed immediately because it took forever to warm up. I'll be installing a 180 degree thermostat to replace it later this morning because the lower temperature thermostat will work better with my Derale fan control switches.
Upon further inspection I can see a flat rubber o-ring sticking out of the insides so I assume it was a manufacturing defect that went unnoticed before it got packaged and it's the o-ring that is holding it open. I bought it from Summit Racing on 7-5-2017 so it's almost new.
Have any of you folks seen this happen before?
Upon further inspection I can see a flat rubber o-ring sticking out of the insides so I assume it was a manufacturing defect that went unnoticed before it got packaged and it's the o-ring that is holding it open. I bought it from Summit Racing on 7-5-2017 so it's almost new.
Have any of you folks seen this happen before?
Last edited by 71VetteLover; 10-24-2017 at 01:50 PM.
10-24-2017, 01:51 PM
#2
consider yourself lucky it stuck open as opposed to stuck closed.
10-24-2017, 03:32 PM
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"Robert Shaw" Thermostats
Robert Shaw is a well known American brand name as they make hundreds of different temperature controls for thousands of different applications. But the "Robert Shaw" style of thermostats can be copied by the Chinese and then sold under the Mr. Gasket brand but if it doesn't say "Robert Shaw" on the package it probably IS a Chinese copy. I can see a number of subtle differences which makes me think they were made by two different companies.
These "Robert Shaw" style of thermostats will flow almost 4 times as much coolant as the standard thermostats which is why I decided to start using them again. I had used them in the 1970's but then most of the auto parts stores quit stocking them because they didn't sell very well; probably because they cost at least twice as much. All of the heavy equipment engines use them so that tells us something; they're worth the additional cost.
These "Robert Shaw" style of thermostats will flow almost 4 times as much coolant as the standard thermostats which is why I decided to start using them again. I had used them in the 1970's but then most of the auto parts stores quit stocking them because they didn't sell very well; probably because they cost at least twice as much. All of the heavy equipment engines use them so that tells us something; they're worth the additional cost.
Last edited by 71VetteLover; 10-24-2017 at 03:36 PM.
10-24-2017, 05:46 PM
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Royal Canadian Navy
So what's your point? You claim the TS failed. It happens. My Shaw TS works just fine. It has pre-drilled holes to always permit coolant flow because my water pump doesn't have a bypass. Hence, it takes longer to warm up the engine.
10-24-2017, 05:47 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
I had one of these thermostats that failed closed on me last year.
Ok, no problem.
I go to the store and purchase another one.
Still running hot, long story short I finally remove and boil the brand new one and it would not open. Put a stock one in. Done with those.
I always heard they fail open....not correct.
Ok, no problem.
I go to the store and purchase another one.
Still running hot, long story short I finally remove and boil the brand new one and it would not open. Put a stock one in. Done with those.
I always heard they fail open....not correct.
Last edited by John 65; 10-24-2017 at 05:48 PM.
10-24-2017, 06:00 PM
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St. Jude Donor '05
Had 2 of those fail in a row also, wont use anything other than a Milodon hi flow never had a failure in 20+ yrs
10-24-2017, 09:37 PM
#8
Race Director
If you look on a past post / thread (about 2 years ago) I've had 5 fail. They are all Chinese Junk.
I found some old stock made in the USA and finally have no failures.
The days of quality parts are over. I've had better luck with AutoZone parts than "more expensive quality parts" ...
If it's not made in the USA I know it's junk....
I found some old stock made in the USA and finally have no failures.
The days of quality parts are over. I've had better luck with AutoZone parts than "more expensive quality parts" ...
If it's not made in the USA I know it's junk....
10-25-2017, 02:15 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
With the quality concerns of current parts, I always try to test new parts if possible. Stats are easy. All you need is a stove, pan, water and a themometer.
10-26-2017, 11:21 AM
#13
Race Director
I changed the thermostats on my vehicles one spring and did not notice any issues until the fall when the cars and truck would not warm up.
With electric fans and most driving in my area in traffic I did not notice any delayed warm up until the fall.
On my worked 85 I noticed the second failure on the parkway within a week after replacing the stat. All of the stats failed open, which is a good thing.
Also there were a number of GM labeled Stats that were not GM but Mopar. Just no quality control...
With electric fans and most driving in my area in traffic I did not notice any delayed warm up until the fall.
On my worked 85 I noticed the second failure on the parkway within a week after replacing the stat. All of the stats failed open, which is a good thing.
Also there were a number of GM labeled Stats that were not GM but Mopar. Just no quality control...
10-26-2017, 12:56 PM
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I changed the thermostats on my vehicles one spring and did not notice any issues until the fall when the cars and truck would not warm up.
With electric fans and most driving in my area in traffic I did not notice any delayed warm up until the fall.
On my worked 85 I noticed the second failure on the parkway within a week after replacing the stat. All of the stats failed open, which is a good thing.
Also there were a number of GM labeled Stats that were not GM but Mopar. Just no quality control...
With electric fans and most driving in my area in traffic I did not notice any delayed warm up until the fall.
On my worked 85 I noticed the second failure on the parkway within a week after replacing the stat. All of the stats failed open, which is a good thing.
Also there were a number of GM labeled Stats that were not GM but Mopar. Just no quality control...
After I installed my electric fan I bought two fan control switches and when they arrived I noticed they were unmarked and came in unmarked boxes. I tested them in heated water they were both wrong so the vendor gave me a full refund and didn't ask me to send them back.