Has anyone used an OEM thermostat gasket that looked like this?

I have always used the flat paper style ones. I have never seen the rubber o-ring style one. Just curious.

Looks like a new gen style that is style that I have on my legacy

if it's like the one I got with my Stant 48457, it has a groove and slips onto/around the edge of the t'stat.

Yup, I believe you are both correct. And I would not recommend using it. I lost almost all of my coolant after it blew out in less than 5 minutes. Definitely not for the Loyale.

If you car has a flat gasket than that is what it needs to not leak. I have used ceareal boxes and cut them out for a gasket, it works well but you defiantly want to coat both sides of the cardboard with a generous amount of rtv silicone.

the oem gasket has a metal reinforced deal. im not a fan of those either... ill take a cardboard gasket or oem directly on the flange.

Ya, I questioned them when I bought it and they swore to me it was the right one... I ended up making one from a piece of rubber.

You don't need a gasket at all. Loctite 518 or Permatex anaerobic will do the job without the need for a gasket. If you use a gasket get the OEM neoprene over metal. They work. Cardboard/paper is garbage and will eventually fail.

 

GD

Slightly off topic, But what about the water pump?I replaced it about a month ago and I used the paper gasket. Of course it is now leaking.

I went to the dealer to get an oem gasket thinking it would be like the oem thermostat gasket (now I know its with neoprene,not just foam.thx GD ) and it is the same as the paper one. I think they just picked it up at napa and then sold it to me thru the dealer.

I will be getting loctite 518 for it.

 

Im curious. Dose Subaru even make a paper water pump gasket?

 

Thanks

The original Subaru gaskets are made from a quality, coated gasket paper. That said I still use 518 for most places subaru used paper on the EA's.

 

GD