2004 Mazda 6 Thermostat

RBRAZIL

MEMBER
2004 MAZDA 6
148,000 MILES

Full Disclosure: I have a check engine light on. The code says insufficient coolant. My reservoir is full so this is probably a bad sensor.
My car was running cool so I replaced the stat assuming it was stuck open. It worked for a couple of hours then stopped. So I replaced it again. This time it didn't work at all.
Neither stat was OEM but they were both rated at 180F which is only 8 degrees less than OEM standard.
What could the problem be?

1 Reply

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Is this a 3.0L engine? What was the actual code number? I looked at engine performance codes for the 3.0L engine. All I saw a couple of thermostat codes, P0126 and P0128. Basically with both codes, the computer thinks the thermostat is stuck open. Part of the computer rationalization has to do with the coolant temp sensor output. I can't say that replacing that sensor will help? Just giving you some information.

Don't use a thermostat rated less than oem.