Review of Mishimoto Thermostatic Oil Sandwich Plate

derraj06 · 09-09-2013, 08:05 PM

I wanted to give everyone a quick heads up on my experience with the mishimoto thermostatic oil sandwich plate.

I purchased it through Amazon on July 16 and installed it two weekends ago. I used Mistimoto fittings and their plate adaptor (20mm) to attach the plate while I was installing an oil cooler. (DIY version with a tru cool cooler and stainless lines)

This past Saturday I was on the interstate when disaster struck. I started seeing smoke billowing from the rear of my car. After bringing the car to a safe stop I discovered that the oil level is so low it isn't on the stick.

I called my gf to get a ride back to my house and returned to the car with tools and discovered that the oring in the thermostat cap blew out. (See below pictures)

Being a Saturday afternoon in a small town I could not find a suitable replacement. There are also no specs listed on their site for it so I ended up towing the car to a shop till I can get the correct parts and have the engine evaluated.

Today I have learned that both underbody aero panels have soaked in oil ($127.50 a piece at my Nissan dealer). The spray also got into my front right wheel and has soaked into my brake pads and I lost 5-6 quarts of oil from the engine.

I attempted to call Mishimoto's toll free number and my carrier informed me the call could not be completed. I then emailed their customer service asking for someone to call me as I cannot get through. I received a reply asking what the problem was but no one called. I sent these same pictures to them and after a day of back and forth they are sending me a replacement o ring. The emails carried on so long they weren't able to ship today so now I'm looking at Wednesday before the parts arrive and probably end of the week to get the car back. I called the direct number and tried to talk to the person I was emailing and left them a message and they would not call me back.

I work at an automotive manufacturer and I bright the remains of the oring in for a look by our quality department. They believe that it was improperly installed at the factory which cut the o ring.

For $130 part, I feel this is unacceptable. Perhaps I am wrong but I almost lost (may have) an engine over a simple o ring.

I guess the point of this rant is to serve as warning to anyone thinking of using this part.

Rusty · 09-09-2013, 08:48 PM

WOW! Bummer!

Hopefully you just lost some oil and not the motor.

derraj06 · 09-09-2013, 09:11 PM

Yeah. The dealer offered to pull the pan and check on it for me for little charge since I let them service it. I'm hoping for good news. I'm really disappointed in the service and quality of a company that verbally has a good reputation.

Chuck33079 · 09-09-2013, 09:16 PM

That's Mishimoto for you. They'll come in here and try to spin it, but at the end of the day cheap Chinese parts with zero quality control will cause a problem. Hopefully the motors ok.

derraj06 · 09-09-2013, 09:49 PM

Good to know that now. I'm looking for a replacement unit now and an oil pressure gauge. I hadn't read much in the way of negative reviews and fell for what appeared to be a quality product. I will call the $130 tuition money. Got a nice paperweight at the end of the class.

DEpointfive0 · 09-09-2013, 10:03 PM

Sorry brother, I hope it turns out well!

If you want the same brand and type plate that Stillen sells, you can buy them for $30-35 shipped

L33T Z34 · 09-09-2013, 10:45 PM

Gotta love those "no questions asked limited lifetime warranty" cHinese parts! mIshimoto will for sure pick up the tab for the $6.5k long block and labor.

derraj06 · 09-09-2013, 11:03 PM

Anymore info on those plates? (I'll begin searching as well) and yeah their warranty "only covers the Mishimoto parts". One benefit of the lack of phone support is the email chain. If they try to spin it at me I will post the entire conversation.

I live around the corner from the dragon and right now I don't trust this plate to make a run. I put the cooler in because I hit 260 F my last good run. Gotta have something I have faith in because there is no way to signal for help.

phunk · 09-10-2013, 12:41 AM

i would really like to see some more pictures of this setup... specifically what it looks like with the thermostat removed. You want to make sure that the threaded hole is even countersunk to accept the oring rather than just smashing it between 2 flat surfaces. If its not countersunk, you want to use a bonded sealing washer to seal that union.

Its hard to say from the pictures... but it really just looks like that oring is totally smashed in there, as if there is no counter bore for it to seal up into.

DEpointfive0 · 09-10-2013, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derraj06

Anymore info on those plates? (I'll begin searching as well) and yeah their warranty "only covers the Mishimoto parts". One benefit of the lack of phone support is the email chain. If they try to spin it at me I will post the entire conversation.

I live around the corner from the dragon and right now I don't trust this plate to make a run. I put the cooler in because I hit 260 F my last good run. Gotta have something I have faith in because there is no way to signal for help.

PM'd

critical · 09-10-2013, 04:47 AM

wow what a POS...I feel for you, man.

looks like the section that failed comes pre installed too

Mishimoto needs to step up to the plate on this one and cover any expenses.

Rusty · 09-10-2013, 05:32 AM

At the 0:45 mark in the video. You can see that one is countersunk for the o-ring. Wondering if the OP's is the same.

derraj06 · 09-10-2013, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phunk

i would really like to see some more pictures of this setup... specifically what it looks like with the thermostat removed. You want to make sure that the threaded hole is even countersunk to accept the oring rather than just smashing it between 2 flat surfaces. If its not countersunk, you want to use a bonded sealing washer to seal that union.

Its hard to say from the pictures... but it really just looks like that oring is totally smashed in there, as if there is no counter bore for it to seal up into.

It's not counter sunk on the plate but I believe they tried to achieve a similar effect by reducing the diameter if the cap. When I can get the plate off the car I will do a full disassembly.
the specs on the oring are 3mm thickness and 15mm inner diameter. It's a beefy oring and to me it appeared it was jammed in the sleeve like you suggested.

derraj06 · 09-10-2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by critical

wow what a POS...I feel for you, man.

looks like the section that failed comes pre installed too

Mishimoto needs to step up to the plate on this one and cover any expenses.

It was pre installed and I did not tamper with it to avoid a situation like what happened. They told me the torque spec for that cap is only 10lbs. I'm no ME but that seems low. (I am a EE that grew up a shade tree mechanic)

Chuck33079 · 09-10-2013, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by critical

Mishimoto needs to step up to the plate on this one and cover any expenses.

Sure they will. They'll send him a new O-ring. Or, at best, replace the sandwich plate. Where you at, Tyler@Mishimoto? You guys going to fix the OP's motor if your POS killed it, or are you going to hide?

09-09-2013, 08:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
derraj06 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 406 Drives: MB 370z Rep Power: 12	Review of Mishimoto Thermostatic Oil Sandwich Plate I wanted to give everyone a quick heads up on my experience with the mishimoto thermostatic oil sandwich plate. I purchased it through Amazon on July 16 and installed it two weekends ago. I used Mistimoto fittings and their plate adaptor (20mm) to attach the plate while I was installing an oil cooler. (DIY version with a tru cool cooler and stainless lines) This past Saturday I was on the interstate when disaster struck. I started seeing smoke billowing from the rear of my car. After bringing the car to a safe stop I discovered that the oil level is so low it isn't on the stick. I called my gf to get a ride back to my house and returned to the car with tools and discovered that the oring in the thermostat cap blew out. (See below pictures) Being a Saturday afternoon in a small town I could not find a suitable replacement. There are also no specs listed on their site for it so I ended up towing the car to a shop till I can get the correct parts and have the engine evaluated. Today I have learned that both underbody aero panels have soaked in oil ($127.50 a piece at my Nissan dealer). The spray also got into my front right wheel and has soaked into my brake pads and I lost 5-6 quarts of oil from the engine. I attempted to call Mishimoto's toll free number and my carrier informed me the call could not be completed. I then emailed their customer service asking for someone to call me as I cannot get through. I received a reply asking what the problem was but no one called. I sent these same pictures to them and after a day of back and forth they are sending me a replacement o ring. The emails carried on so long they weren't able to ship today so now I'm looking at Wednesday before the parts arrive and probably end of the week to get the car back. I called the direct number and tried to talk to the person I was emailing and left them a message and they would not call me back. I work at an automotive manufacturer and I bright the remains of the oring in for a look by our quality department. They believe that it was improperly installed at the factory which cut the o ring. For $130 part, I feel this is unacceptable. Perhaps I am wrong but I almost lost (may have) an engine over a simple o ring. I guess the point of this rant is to serve as warning to anyone thinking of using this part. fechavez likes this. __________________ 2010 Monterey Blue 370Z

09-09-2013, 08:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,171 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684437	WOW! Bummer! Hopefully you just lost some oil and not the motor. gurneyeagle likes this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

09-09-2013, 09:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
derraj06 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 406 Drives: MB 370z Rep Power: 12	Yeah. The dealer offered to pull the pan and check on it for me for little charge since I let them service it. I'm hoping for good news. I'm really disappointed in the service and quality of a company that verbally has a good reputation. __________________ 2010 Monterey Blue 370Z

09-09-2013, 09:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29538	That's Mishimoto for you. They'll come in here and try to spin it, but at the end of the day cheap Chinese parts with zero quality control will cause a problem. Hopefully the motors ok. O&G and BettyZ like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

09-09-2013, 09:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
derraj06 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 406 Drives: MB 370z Rep Power: 12	Good to know that now. I'm looking for a replacement unit now and an oil pressure gauge. I hadn't read much in the way of negative reviews and fell for what appeared to be a quality product. I will call the $130 tuition money. Got a nice paperweight at the end of the class. __________________ 2010 Monterey Blue 370Z

09-09-2013, 10:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 Premium Member Bitches Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17151	Sorry brother, I hope it turns out well! If you want the same brand and type plate that Stillen sells, you can buy them for $30-35 shipped __________________ Do YOU want to know what/where I got my username from? ( Click to show/hide ) NSFW due to language:

09-09-2013, 10:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
L33T Z34 Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ahnald, MO Age: 47 Posts: 387 Drives: 09 K51 G C Bw/S 6MT Rep Power: 0	Gotta love those "no questions asked limited lifetime warranty" cHinese parts! mIshimoto will for sure pick up the tab for the $6.5k long block and labor. O&G likes this.

09-09-2013, 11:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
derraj06 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 406 Drives: MB 370z Rep Power: 12	Anymore info on those plates? (I'll begin searching as well) and yeah their warranty "only covers the Mishimoto parts". One benefit of the lack of phone support is the email chain. If they try to spin it at me I will post the entire conversation. I live around the corner from the dragon and right now I don't trust this plate to make a run. I put the cooler in because I hit 260 F my last good run. Gotta have something I have faith in because there is no way to signal for help. __________________ 2010 Monterey Blue 370Z

09-10-2013, 12:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
phunk A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,668 Drives: 370 Rep Power: 974723	i would really like to see some more pictures of this setup... specifically what it looks like with the thermostat removed. You want to make sure that the threaded hole is even countersunk to accept the oring rather than just smashing it between 2 flat surfaces. If its not countersunk, you want to use a bonded sealing washer to seal that union. Its hard to say from the pictures... but it really just looks like that oring is totally smashed in there, as if there is no counter bore for it to seal up into. __________________ Charles @ CJ Motorsports : Website \| Facebook \| Instagram \| YouTube Home of the 9 second, stock longblock, stock drivetrain 6MT 370z. 9.91 @ 142mph

09-10-2013, 04:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
critical A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington Posts: 1,252 Drives: 09' 370z 7AT Rep Power: 16	wow what a POS...I feel for you, man. looks like the section that failed comes pre installed too Mishimoto needs to step up to the plate on this one and cover any expenses. __________________ Quaife w/ gears \|Stillen Gen 3\|SOLD FI Resonated Test Pipes \|SOLD FI 18'' \| 25row Stillen Race \| Progress 35mm/25mm sways \| Swifts/Koni\|Volk G25's\| Stoptech SS lines\|\|SPL Front/Rear Arms\|

09-10-2013, 05:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,171 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684437	At the 0:45 mark in the video. You can see that one is countersunk for the o-ring. Wondering if the OP's is the same. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mishimoto Thermostatic Sandwich Plate, Gold	flashgordon	Engine & Drivetrain	10	07-02-2013 11:31 AM
Z1 Motorsports Thermostatic Sandwich Plate kit (For Nissan Motorsports Oil Cooler)	Dustin@Z1	Drivetrain/Engine	3	06-08-2012 12:10 PM
Oil Cooler Thermostatic Sandwich Plate Conversion Kit?	Nismo221	Engine & Drivetrain	5	09-07-2010 01:44 PM
Z1 Motorsports Thermostatic Sandwich Plate kit (For Nissan Motorsports Oil Cooler)	Dustin@Z1	Z1 Motorsports	0	08-06-2010 12:26 PM