EA81 Thermostat and Temperature Sensor

[Feanor]

How accessible are the Thermostat and the temperature sensor in the EA81 engine? Would they be really easy to replace, or would you have to take a bunch of stuff apart?

[ShawnW]

4/10 on both items.  On non turbo ea81 without power steering most home mechanics that are a step or two above oil changes can do it.  Drain coolant, remove tstat housing from end of upper radiator hose with 2 12mm head bolts, clean surfaces, install new parts and refill with coolant.  I avoid Stant or cheap aftermarket tstats on all Subaru's.

[mgcwrnch]

Just finished putting  a 'stat in my 84 turbo wagon.

 

You really want to spend the $22++ dollars to get a Subaru original 'stat.

 

Very big difference in size of opening and much heavier construction.

 

Much like my four way bypass and cow valve.

 

Priceless  !!

 

Alan

[mgcwrnch]

Here are pics of the 'stat differences.

 

As you see, worth the money  !!

[mikaleda]

T-stat removal is fairly simple, the hardest part is working around the hitachi emissions b.s., the coolant temp sensor is very easy just a removal of the wire and the right size socket. Also it's a good Idea to get o.e.m or Stant exactstat, there are after markets that work, but they tend to be problematic.

[Feanor]

Thanks for the help, but what does "stant" mean?

[mikaleda]

Stant is a brand of thermostats, their cheap ones suck, like Shawn mentioned, but they have a new line of EXact stats that are made to OEM specs.

[noahkort]

any tips on finding the subaru thermastat, i feel like i change mine annually.

[mgcwrnch]

Bot mine from the local Subie dealer.  $22.++

 

Alan