Thermostat Temperature?

Hysyde · Feb 15, 2019

The water pump on my little Ford 1210 let go on me a few days ago in the middle of blowing snow after the biggest storm of the year. Thankfully my local CNH dealer was able to get one in the next day.

I went to install it today and realized it didn't come with a gasket and figured I should change the thermostat at the same time. To my surprise, they had both in stock. Also, to my great surprise, after picking it up was the $95 bill... including $65 + tax for a very generic looking thermostat.

I left with it but made a stop at the local auto parts place and managed to match with one that was nearly identical, except that it ran 10 degrees warmer (and was $11). The thermostat I got from CNH is a 71 Celsius (160F) temperature, while the auto parts one is 82 Celsius (180F). I don't actually have it in hand but they will have it in for me tomorrow morning.

Can I run the $11 dollar thermostat with no issue on my little diesel at 180F? The CNH dealer has a 20% return fee, but I'm more than happy to take it back rather than pay $70 for a thermostat....

RjCorazza · Feb 15, 2019

Wow. That seems excessive even from a dealer. Personally, I would stick with the oem 160 deg f thermostat rather than a higher temp aftermarket.

Hysyde · Feb 15, 2019

RjCorazza said:
Wow. That seems excessive even from a dealer. Personally, I would stick with the oem 160 deg f thermostat rather than a higher temp aftermarket.

I can get a stock temperature, but aftermarket, thermostat on ebay, etc. but that will take a bit of time, more so because I'm in Canada.

RjCorazza · Feb 15, 2019

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about diesel operating temperatures will post about running a higher temp thermostat.
So if I understand correctly you may be using the 180 deg f thermostat temporarily, while you acquire an aftermarket 160?

Hysyde · Feb 15, 2019

No, I will either wait to find a 160 aftermarket (not preferred, especially if it snows), use the 180 aftermarket, or just swallow the lumps and use the $70 OEM 160 degree thermostat. it doesn't look like a big job, but I'm not pulling the water pump off twice.

Yeah, I'd love to hear the opinion of someone with a little more knowledge than me with regards to (small) diesel operating temperatures.

RickB · Feb 15, 2019

I would expect a 180 degree thermostat to perform well in your tractor. Higher operating temps make diesels run cleaner and more efficiently. The 1210 has plenty of cooling capacity to keep the temperatures in line.