Hey sorry for the thread but I couldn't really find too much over my specific question. I'm wanting to get my timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, and thermostat done (for I believe might be the first time), but I am not sure what thermostat is best.

I already have the GATES 33914 from rockauto, but looking at photos of the OEM thermostat is looks more like the AISIN THH009 (also saw a review for a OEM thermostat on Amazon saying it was an AISIN part), both parts are stated on rockauto to fit my automatic 2006 Acura TL (152k miles). I wasn't sure what to go with initially but knew that Gates and Aisin are usually OEM so I felt safe getting gates. My questions are,

1. Will the gates cause any issues being physically different from the OEM Aisin counterpart?
2. Neither come with a seal (the gates said it includes the seal but doesn't) can I reuse the original seal, or can I just buy this seal at autozone and put it on the new thermostat?

If you were wondering what I bought for the other parts I decided to go with the AISIN timing belt/pump kit and NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs. Thank you whoever replies in advance.

 

Also to add for anyone wondering I'm not doing it myself I'm just providing the parts and paying for labor I've shopped around some local mechanics and found someone who would do it for $300 and another person for $800.

 

Strong suggestion to buy this part from a Honda/Acura dealer.

curryacuraparts and hondapartsnow are what I've been using a lot lately.

 

Did you get the ngk's from amazon/ebay? Unless it's a trusted source there are a lot of fakes that can destroy motors so be careful.

I went with AISIN kit also. No problem with either thermostat. I'd get a new gasket just to avoid the potential of a leak. Contact your seller for thermostat and let them know it did not come with one!

 

I got all my parts from rockauto which should be reputable. I actually requested a refund from rockauto for the thermostat and they did and let me keep the part. Since you say there's no problem with either thermostat I'll just buy the gasket from autozone, thanks!

 

Who doesn't love a happy ending?

 

Damn - 800$ for the replacement. It doesn't seem so complicated. I wouldn't pay 300$ nighter 🙂
Remember changing the thermostat in accord '94. It was easy peasy. Here it is a little bit more hidden.

 

I believe the labor charge is for timing belt and spark plugs as well, so $300 is a deal, $800 not so much