# Which thermostat to install? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota, camry\ **Created:** [May 10, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-thermostat-to-install/48647 "2010-05-10T18:50:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![adovorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@adovorp](https://community.cartalk.com/u/adovorp)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-thermostat-to-install/48647/1 "2010-05-10T18:50:37Z")
Hi. I’m planning to replace the thermostat on my 1993 Toyota Camry wagon when I flush the coolant. However, there are 2 thermostats that will work: 82C +/- 2 Degrees, OR 82C +/- 4 Degrees. Does it matter? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-thermostat-to-install/48647/2 "2010-05-10T18:59:14Z")
It might be worth the price and effort to get an OEM thermostat and gasket and not be concerned with the specifications. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-thermostat-to-install/48647/3 "2010-05-10T19:03:14Z")
82C seems a little low. Are you sure that’s the correct spec for this car? ---
**Author:** ![adovorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@adovorp](https://community.cartalk.com/u/adovorp)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-thermostat-to-install/48647/4 "2010-05-10T19:07:22Z")
82C does seem low, but it’s spec according to the service manual and at least 2 different online vendors. BTW, both thermostats are listed as OEM replacements… ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-thermostat-to-install/48647/5 "2010-05-10T19:10:38Z")
82 degrees Celsius is equivalent to about 180 degrees Farenheit. This was the temperature rating of the thermostat I used in my 1948 Dodge. Even my 1965 Rambler used a 195 degree Farenheit thermostat. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-thermostat-to-install/48647/6 "2010-05-10T19:19:27Z")
There’s OEM replacement. And then there’s OEM. With thermostats the difference justifies the price. ---
**Author:** ![adovorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@adovorp](https://community.cartalk.com/u/adovorp)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-thermostat-to-install/48647/7 "2010-05-10T19:28:15Z")
Thanks for the warning! I’ll do as you suggest… ---
**Author:** ![wxf048](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/da6949/32.png) [@wxf048](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wxf048)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 7:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-thermostat-to-install/48647/8 "2010-05-19T07:57:54Z")
I have a 99 Cavalier for which AutoZone sold me a 180 degree thermostat. The owner’s manual verifies that this is the correct temperature. My guess is that the low temperature is meant to compensate for the location of the thermostat. It is isolated from the engine block by a pipe 6 or 7 inches long. The thermostat is on the end of the pipe away from the engine, where it may be slightly cooler. If the OP’s Camry has a similar configuration, that may explain the apparently low temperature specification.