Thermostat Sizes

[secubis3]

Does anybody know the difference between the 82 and 88 degree thermostats for the 1.3?
I need to change mine as I have just fitted a new radiator. I can only order them as nobody has them in stock.

Here is the thing!!! The radiator I have installed is slightly larger than my previous one, so do I need the 88 degree thermostat or the 82? And what is a jiggle pin of all things?:o

I could take off the housing and check but as the car is my daily that is not practical and if I made a mistake it may take a while to correct.

Cheers
S

[RobertP]

I had this problem with Halfords last year. For the 1.3 Maestro they listed only the 82 deg, but I wanted an 88 deg. That was listed under 1.3 Montego. They are physically identical, of course. I should have thought with our usual summers 88 deg would be preferable, but someone else may know better.
The jiggle pin is a bit like the safety valve on a pressure cooker. It allows the water to flow in one direction even when the 'stat is closed, but I don't remember why!
You may find the biggest problem is getting the aluminium housing to part from the steel bolts that hold it in place. Good luck.

[G Force]

Hi, The 82 deg thermostat is fitted as standard whilst the 88 deg is an optional stat for cold climate use. I personally would always use the 88 deg as it improves the heater performance and has never presented me with any summertime issues.

The fact that you have a larger radiator, it would make more sense to go with the 88deg stat.

Jiggle pins seem to becoming less common place these days, but they were originally built into the stat as an aid to prevent air locking when filling the system initially. With or without a jiggle pin doesn't really matter.