Hey everyone,

So I want to swap out my thermostat to an aftermarket one. For the first time I experienced my temps almost going through the roof when I went for a spirited drive along a canyon I frequent. Never have I experienced such a climb in temp. Spoke with some friends and we came to the conclusion that I need a new thermostat. However I am having a difficult time finding a aftermarket thermostat that is 100% compatible with the HR motor. Most claim "fits 03-08." Does anyone recommend any or should I give up and go OEM?

BTW: I recently flushed my coolant (hopefully that has nothing to do with it).

TLDR; I can't find a aftermarket thermostat that is compatible with the HR.

 

Make sure your coolant is full, and that the fans are working properly. (I'm not convinced you don't have air in the system.) If yes, it may be the thermostat. Replace it with OEM. Just because an original part failed doesn't mean some aftermarket piece is better. Avoid stupid things like low-temp substitutes, too. Read the threads here about the proper procedure for bleeding air from the system, too. Without the oroper funnel from Lisle, it's not easy. I think the thread is called "coolant purge nightmare".

 

If your Temps are spiking sounds like air in the system. Run your heater when your temp spikes and see what the air feels like.

 

You guys may be correct on assuming I still have air in the system. I read the thread mentioned and I think I need to redo the flush.... I appreciate your responses!

 

Oh and my thermostat has never been changed. Car currently has almost 60K.

 

Would a aftermarket thermostat for a VHR work?

I got my temperature gauge to move to about mid-way once with about 15 minutes of a lot of boost street racing and had my overflow about half way full after that. But the water temp went back to it's normal ~1/4 spot within about a minute of easy cruising after noticing the temperature gauge had actually moved for the first time, ever. But I'm TT, those suckers produce a ton of heat.