Plastic Found on Thermostat Gasket (P1281 Engine is Cold Too Long)

Actormike

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Joined
Dec 28, 2020
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43
Location
Knoxville, TN
This is an interesting one. Recently had a camshaft replaced on the Jeep. Outdoor Temperatures dropped and a P1281 code was triggered. Odd because 2 years ago I put in a new 195-degree Carquest Premium Thermostat.

Anyway, check out what I saw when I took off the housing. Some sort of plastic piece and they used a ton of glue! Has anyone ever seen this before and could that be what caused the thermostat to stick open? The shop had to put a new gasket on the thermostat when they worked on the camshaft.
The video below shows me removing the plastic.
20221117_201733.jpg




On a side note, if you ever have temperatures below 185 while running idle/parked or 175 while driving, it's probably a stuck open thermostat!

STUCK OPEN:
Screenshot_20221115-195216_Torque.jpg

Screenshot_20221115-195324_Torque.jpg



WORKING THERMOSTAT
Screenshot_20221118-105519_Torque.jpg

Screenshot_20221118-110734_Torque.jpg
 
Last edited:
X2 plastic to cover adhesive should have been removed.

I strongly suspect the shop using too much gasket seal, and leaving that plastic on contributed to the Thermostat getting stuck open. The thermostat was only 22 months old. There are actually little pieces of gasket sealer in the radiator too.


Mike
 
I will only use the Mopar or Gates premium thermostats anymore. Too many issues with the other brands.
 
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