Miles Riitters

Review of Walser Mazda

Let me preface this by saying; I don't remember ev...

Let me preface this by saying; I don't remember ever leaving a google review before. It's not something I do.

Ordered a thermostat and pair of radiator caps for my 88 RX7 on May 30, 2018. Drove 35 minutes after work on 5/31 to pick them up. Turns out I didn't need the caps, counterman said they'd have to ship them back so I just bought them.
Opened the thermostat box when I noticed the label had the Mazda Part # written incorrectly (No dashes present). Thermostat is stamped "Motorad".

Motorad is an Israeli company started around 1994, and I have tried all three of their thermostat lines in my car. All three shared similar symptoms (insufficient flow, running hot. I've learned after research, that the general opinion is that no aftermarket thermostats function correctly due to the design of the block. Running hot a single time can kill a rotary engine's coolant seals and require a rebuild.). I work in the automotive industry and my cost on this particular part is $3.47.
It is physically impossible for this to be a factory thermostat. The company did not exist when Mazda contracted a supplier.

As soon as I saw the stamp, before even leaving the counter, I asked pretty dejectedly "Is it possible to get a real OEM thermostat?"
Counterman replied without even glancing at the part "That IS the original OEM thermostat."
I get it, the parts department probably doesn't know any better. I didn't return it. I crumpled the box out of frustration and it can't be resold in that condition. I just want to drive my dream car again but that's being put off after spending my free night this week to drive out there.

You'll probably get a laugh out of the water cooler story about the kid in tears in the lobby over a stupid little part for his old slow non-turbo Mazda. That was me. I'll be ordering my parts from Japan from now on and will buy my 6 at a different dealer. Thank you for disillusioning me of my notion that dealership parts are better than the junk I sell for a living.