I’m getting ready to replace timing belt and water pump etc so I’m planning on a new thermostat too.

The local car parts stores have ones that are 170 or 172 F.

We are in Fairbanks Alaska where the winters are long and cold. Can we get a thermostat with a higher temperature such as 180 or 185?

When I look at the live data from our 98 Forester it seems the engine temperature is in the 180-185 range if I remember correctly.

You want a Subaru Thermostat!

Larry

A little story, if I may.  When I bought our first Subaru seven or so years ago, I knew it was overheating and that I'd be jumping into a head gasket job right away.  So I started asking questions (on another forum) and found a lot of help, including the same admonition to stick with the OEM thermostat.  I asked why, and to the forum's credit I got useful technical answers about its hysteresis characteristics and aperture size - stuff engineer-type geeks like.  So I headed on down to the dealer and told the parts jockey that I needed a thermostat.  He said "Be right back" and immediately turned to fetch it.  I tried to stop him - after all, I hadn't told him which model, year, engine, or temperature I wanted.  He replied "We only have one."

That was the moment I decided I liked Subarus - a lot.

Edited March 21, 20197 yr by jonathan909

Sounds like I’ll get a Subaru thermostat!

I’d also opt for a Subaru water pump. But that’s not really necessary compared to the Subaru thermostat. 

Blocking half your radiator might help a bit too. I used to do this in our snow country that’s no where near as cold as over your way!

Cheers 

Bennie

Aisin waterpump is also OK - make sure it comes with a metal gasket, or source the gasket from Subaru. You might look at autoanything and mizumoauto on ebay.

you might cross-shopping any OEM stuff by looking here; https://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/121-subaruonlineparts-com/501795-new-lower-pricing-subaru-gear-codes-vip-s.html

or, challenge your local dealer to match those prices - it's sometimes better to spend a little xtra if you feel you may need multiple trips back to the dealer vs waiting on shipping or the hassle of returning a wrong part. I had a local dealer match a price on an item, and also get close to a match with a discount on a different item.

fyi

 

Subaru sells a 78, 80 or 82 degree thermostat. That's Celsius.

conversion works out to 172.4, 176, and 179.6 in Fahrenheit.

 

 

First I've heard of it.  Are they application-specific?

Replace the cap too.

Look up my post here called

“ultimate timing belt job”

thanks for reminding me to add fuel injectors to it, since I found you can get sets of four now rebuilt on eBay for 100 bucks.

’97

Edited March 24, 20197 yr by 1997reduxe