Dorman 902-692 Engine Coolant Thermostat Housing Assembly

Curated from 62 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: November 20, 2024

Dorman 902-692 Engine Coolant Thermostat Housing Assembly

Brand: Dorman
Price: $43
Snoop Score:
6.0
Sentiment
5.0
Popularity
9.7
Technical
4.4

Snoop's Take

The Dorman 902-692 Engine Coolant Thermostat Housing Assembly is designed as a direct replacement for original water outlet parts in select vehicle models. This durable assembly features aluminum construction, which is favored by users over plastic alternatives for its ability to withstand extreme temperatures without cracking or leaking. Consumer sentiment around the Dorman thermostat housing is generally positive, with many users noting the effectiveness of Dorman parts in solving OEM issues. One user highlights that Dorman is "basically the only company left that makes good parts for this car," while another emphasizes the importance of choosing aluminum over plastic, stating, "Forget the plastic - GET THE ALUMINUM. Money well spent." However, some concerns have been raised about sealing connections and operating temperatures compared to OEM parts. Overall, the Dorman 902-692 Engine Coolant Thermostat Housing Assembly is recommended for those seeking a reliable replacement part, particularly for its durability and effectiveness as noted in user feedback, despite some quality concerns.

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They frequently add design improvements, like drain plugs on transmission pans, better engineered cooling fans, etc.

Positive Feedback

Sometimes if you change your thermostat and not your radiator hose it will blow a hole in your hose or radiator

Negative Feedback
Product
6.0
Dorman 902-692 Engine Coolant Thermostat Housing Assembly
Routine Maintenance
7 / 10
Engine Overheating Prevention
8 / 10
Aftermarket Performance Upgrade
8 / 10
Budget-Friendly Replacement
2 / 10
See how this compares to all Thermostats

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Good results with Dorman parts
They frequently add design improvements, like drain plugs on transmission pans, better engineered cooling fans, etc.
Some videos say to drain coolant and some say it’s not necessary.
Dorman provides effective solutions for OEM part issues
They are basically the only company left that make's good parts for this car.
Aluminum construction is preferred over plastic
He said he doesnt recommend retail brand parts (Autozone etc) due to durability breaking within the year in general
Do not get the plastic replacement. Find the alluminum one.
Forget the plastic - GET THE ALUMINUM. Money well spent.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Difficulties with sealing connections
Sometimes if you change your thermostat and not your radiator hose it will blow a hole in your hose or radiator
Issues with sealing properly
I bought the MITZONE brand and it didn't seal properly.
Potential for lower operating temperature than OEM
the temperature that they open at is lower than the OEM temperature.
Quality concerns with Dorman parts
I learned the hard way that Moog and Dorman are code for rebranded Chinesium shit.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Consideration of material choice (aluminum vs. OEM plastic)
OEM is always a good start but aluminum is best.
Proper temperature thermostat is crucial for performance
You might not need oem, but you do need the proper temp thermostat.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Dorman has a unique focus on parts for the Lincoln LS
Dorman seems to have some..... odd affection for The Lincoln LS, they make basically every wear item under the sun.
Considerations for installation and maintenance
Make sure the mating surface to the seal on both the thermostat and housing is clean and flat.
Discussion on alternatives and comparisons with other brands
Running slightly cooler is not a bad thing.
Honestly just installed this one.
Discussion about different brands for thermostat housing
Motorcraft for the housing, thermostat, and sensor.
I will third motorcraft parts.
OEM parts can be a better choice for reliability
I would recommend the OEM thermostat, unless you have a rebuilt engine.
Discussion about P0128 code meaning
Can a stuck open thermostat fix itself? My check engine light came on a couple days ago so I took it to auto one and got a P0128 code which means the thermostat is stuck open.
P0128 doesn't mean "thermostat stuck open", it means "engine took longer to reach a preset temperature than anticipated".

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
OEM parts can be sufficient
My oem plastic one never cracked or leaked.. I just think it's stuck open.
Discussion on keeping old OEM parts
And yes I seriously have kept them.
Concerns over plastic vs metal housings
Unreliable plastic thermostat housings for the 2014 1.4 lt, is there any sort of thermostat thats available to buy anywhere that has a stronger housing, maybe one out of metal?
Multiple brands manufacture thermostats in the same factory
MotoRad manufactures almost all thermostats now. Gates, stant, and FVP. They are crappy.
Discussion about the effectiveness of fail-safe thermostats
Those fail safe thermostats are one of the dumbest things I've ever seen.
Concerns over thermostat potentially fixing itself
Definitely look into it.
The risk it can stick close again and overheat the engine.

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