Worth buying Ford parts?

[ace2184]

Just wondering everyone's opinion regarding replacement parts. My overflow tank cap crapped out on me the other day. Checked RockAuto and one of the replacement options was a Stant cap. My local parts store had one so I bought it and called it good. Not that I know much, but regarding smaller stuff I usually don't seek out the factory replacement. Any reason I should have spent the extra $10-$15 or does it matter?

[alec2538]

I've had hit-and-miss luck with aftermarket radiator/overflow caps. 8/10 times they're fine. If it's worth $15 to you to keep your car OEM then use OEM. I wouldn't worry about the Stant if it were my car.

[Logizyme]

Sometimes they are worth it, sometimes they are not.

[ace2184]

Fair enough. I'll stick with the stant. If it craps I'll know I was wrong.

[CrownVictorious]

Personally this is how I go about things:

For parts that affect the engine i.e. oil filter - always motorcraft.

That also goes for items that are a b***h to change such as the blend door actuator & heater core - not worth the risk.

For smaller things like a blower motor for HVAC, I'll weigh out the price and go aftermarket. Warranty is always a factor as well

[Zack]

I highly doubt it's the cap.
Sounds like the engine is overheating and the cap is doing its job

[fastblackmerc]

I highly doubt it's the cap.
Sounds like the engine is overheating and the cap is doing its job

+1....

Can't remember the last time I saw a bad radiator / over flow cap.

[EMAS]

Keep in mind that Ford purchases many parts from suppliers, they do not make the parts themselves. Many of those parts are made to Ford specifications but many of the parts are made to industry specifications and Ford picks the part out of the catalog and tells the mfg the labeling and part number they want on the box/part.

Radiator caps are one of the types of items that is chosen from a manufacturer's stock parts. I do not know if the OE radiator cap or what is currently available as the replacement part from Ford was made by Stant but I do know that in the past Stant has supplied radiator caps and thermostats to Ford.

So yes unless you want the OE markings using a Stant one and saving the money for something else is not a bad idea. Also note that between the time a car was made and replacement parts are needed Ford may have switched suppliers making the factory replacement part not the "same" as the OE part. Some times that change is made because they find a supplier willing to offer a lower price, sometimes it is because there were problems with the previous supplier and other times it is because the previous supplier doesn't exist anymore, was sold to a different party or does not participate in that segment any longer.

[RF Overlord]

I've always had good luck with Stant stuff...radiator caps, gas caps, thermostats, etc.

I know lots of people say "go Motorcraft or go home" for thermostats, but I put a Stant SuperStat in the Velvet Fog when the old one stuck open and it's been fine for 2 years now.

[Zack]

Motorcraft or NAPA are the only 2 companies that make the 100% correct thermostat for the Marauder....FYI.

[fastblackmerc]

See Reisch Performance for a good 170 degree thermostat.

http://www.reischeperformance.com/

Pricey but keeps the engine temp below 180.....

[RF Overlord]

Motorcraft or NAPA are the only 2 companies that make the 100% correct thermostat for the Marauder....FYI.Define 100% correct. Stant lists one for the Marauder that's 188°...why isn't that one correct?

[Zack]

Define 100% correct. Stant lists one for the Marauder that's 188°...why isn't that one correct?

The bypass disc is not the correct size.

[Zack]

See Reisch Performance for a good 170 degree thermostat.

http://www.reischeperformance.com/

Pricey but keeps the engine temp below 180.....

There is a guy on Facebook making them for $35 now, FYI

[88LTDCV351]

You an see the picture of the Stant Thermostat on RockAuto. It looks right but I went with Motorcraft after my MotoRad t-stat debacle.

[ace2184]

+1....

Can't remember the last time I saw a bad radiator / over flow cap.


You guys may be right. Though the cap was acting like it was stripped out. When you tighten it, it'd get to a tight point and then just spin loose. In my short time owning it, when up to operating temperature I've yet to see the temp gauge go above where it normally sits.

[fastblackmerc]

You guys may be right. Though the cap was acting like it was stripped out. When you tighten it, it'd get to a tight point and then just spin loose. In my short time owning it, when up to operating temperature I've yet to see the temp gauge go above where it normally sits.

It ratchets so you can't over tighten it.

[gdmjoe]

The bitterness of poor quality lingers long
after the sweetness of low co$t is forgotten.
.

[JohnE]

Motorcraft and Ford parts are made to Ford specs. It depends on the part to whether this makes a difference. I wouldn't worry over a radiator cap.

I've tried many different thermostats on a 2V Panther as an experiment. Zach is right about most of them having the wrong size bypass plate under them. Most aftermarket thermostats do not function properly on Panthers. Even though Stant makes many of the OEM and aftermarket thermostat brands, they are all made to different specs.

[ace2184]

It ratchets so you can't over tighten it.


Thank you fastblack, that leads to my next question. I admittedly don't know tons, but none of my vehicles in the past have had a ratcheting overflow tank cap. So I wonder, will it have any negative effects if the replacement is non ratcheting? Also thanks everyone for advice and opinions. Since Thursday I haven't had any more leak issues and it's been in its normal operating range.

[fastblackmerc]

Thank you fastblack, that leads to my next question. I admittedly don't know tons, but none of my vehicles in the past have had a ratcheting overflow tank cap. So I wonder, will it have any negative effects if the replacement is non ratcheting? Also thanks everyone for advice and opinions. Since Thursday I haven't had any more leak issues and it's been in its normal operating range.

Why replace it? Probably nothing wrong with it.

[lifespeed]

In general I use Motorcraft parts unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise. Price is not usually a good reason. It costs more to replace a part twice, regardless of how cheap it was originally. I have been burned too many times by junk aftermarket parts.

It is true many of the same vendors who sell in the aftermarket also supply Ford. If you know for sure who the OEM manufacturer is you can save a few bucks sometimes buying their aftermarket version. You can also save a few bucks by ordering from an online Ford dealer and still get Motorcraft.

I look at it this way: Ford has put some effort into vetting and quality controlling their suppliers. They have to stand behind these parts under their warranty, so they need to last. While this process is not infallible, it is probably better than I could do.

A radiator cap is probably not that critical an example, although failure would at least be irritating. Thermostats are more important. Blend door actuators? I would not consider anything but Motorcraft for that 2 - 3 hour joy of dashboard dismemberment. Same for cam timing parts.