Thermostat housing

[L1LR3D1]

Hey y'all I've got a 2010 4.0 with a coolant leak in the thermostat housing. I was curious to see if any of y'all out there know if I should go with the cheaper model housing or should stick with the oem motorcraft. Does it really make a difference and does anyone know if there's a metal version out there. Its the one sensor version housing any info would be awesome. Thanks.

 

[adsm08]

I have never seen a metal version. I replaced the one in my old Explorer with a Dorman unit and it was still holding up just fine when I sold it. I figure it had been in there at least a year, because I don't remember exactly when I replaced it, but it wasn't recently and it was cold out.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Good read here: https://bengrosser.com/howto/fordthermostat/

Especially this part: "In the last couple years the aftermarket has caught on that this is a common problem and is now manufacturing kits for it. SO apparently you can get the parts at a number of places such as Autozone. However, I have also been told by some that these aftermarket parts are not all of the same quality as the Ford parts (pretty scary since the Ford parts are all failing!). "

Food for thought.

Motorcraft parts have to be tested/inspected as part of Fords requirement to be "motorcraft"
This is why they cost more.

If a part is easy to change then I see no reason to spend twice as much on it just for it to be tested, I can test it and take it back if it fails.
So really up to you as to how hard it would be to change these parts if one fails

 

[MastuhWaffles]

There is a metal version, I replaced my plastic one after it exploded, if you look on ebay you should be able to find it. It costs $130.

 

[adsm08]

There is a metal version, I replaced my plastic one after it exploded, if you look on ebay you should be able to find it. It costs $130.

Holy crap! I can buy the Dorman one three times for that price.

That means I can replace it six times if I get the limited lifetime on it.

 

[Broosedamoose]

I just replaced mine for the third time! This time I used the aluminum housing. They are a lot cheaper than when they first came out. I paid $75 on eBay and it came with New Bolts, By-Pass Hose, Sensors and Thermostat!- T-Stat Housing

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Holy crap! I can buy the Dorman one three times for that price.

That means I can replace it six times if I get the limited lifetime on it.

It wasn't cheap, but after the first one exploded, and the second cheap plastic one separated I put the metal one in.

 

[adsm08]

It wasn't cheap, but after the first one exploded, and the second cheap plastic one separated I put the metal one in.

Eh, not my problem any more. I sold the Explorer and nothing else I have has that engine in it.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Eh, not my problem any more. I sold the Explorer and nothing else I have has that engine in it.

Well that's no fun.
I still gotta find me an explorer with the 5.0 to do the swap someday.