# MotoRad 7273-180 Fail Safe™ Series Thermostat for 1983-1993 Volkswagen Transporter

### Specifications

Bypass Diameter: 1.30 in

Bypass Length: 1.01 in

Gasket or Seal Required: Yes

Sealing Flange Outside Diameter: 2.64 in

Sealing Flange Outside Diameter: 67.06 mm

Gasket Or Seal Included: No

Jiggle Pin Weep Hole: No

Start to Open Temperature: 180.0 Deg. F

Installation Tool Included: No

Flange Thickness: 0.068 in

Flange Thickness: 1.73 mm

### Features

-   Exclusive, patented design
-   High quality Stainless Steel and Copper construction
-   Locking technology prevents costly engine damage
-   100% tested and calibrated
-   Manufactured with the highest quality materials from an OE supplier

### Product Details

Fail Safe™ Series Thermostat (7273-180) by MotoRad®. Temperature: 180F. Fail-Safe Thermostats offer premium, patented technology for superior protection over any thermostat on the market. Only Fail-Safe is designed to lock in the open position when overheating occurs due to a failing cooling system component. This allows maximum coolant flow, thus preventing expensive engine damage.

Fail-Safe is designed to help protect your engine when overheating occurs. When overheating occurs, Fail-Safe automatically locks in the open position to permit maximum coolant flow.

When standard thermostats fail, they lock in the closed position and prevent coolant flow to the engine, which can possibly cause serious damage to your engine. Fail-Safe has a patented safeguard against overheating damage.

Fail-Safe thermostats are designed with a unique extra stroke that allows operation in two stages: Stage 1: Within normal operating temperatures, the Fail-Safe operates the same as any other thermostat. Stage 2: When overheating is caused by a deteriorating cooling system part, the Fail-Safe has a secondary stroke that activates a precision engineered piston that automatically locks the valve into a wide open position allowing coolant to circulate freely. Don’t be stranded on the side of the road because your engine overheated and your conventional thermostat failed in the closed position keeping coolant from flowing to the engine. Buy the best Thermostat on the market, the Fail-Safe Thermostat from Motorad. Why is the Fail-Safe the best thermostat? Under normal operating temperatures, the Fail-Safe operates in the same manner as a conventional thermostat. However, when your vehicle overheats due to a deteriorating cooling system part, a standard thermostat locks in the closed position blocking the flow of coolant to the engine. Motorad’s patented Fail-Safe Thermostat is the only thermostat that automatically locks in the open position allowing coolant to circulate freely throughout the engine during the overheating process. This can protect your engine from a more costly repair. Once the Fail-Safe thermostat does its job of allowing coolant to continue to flow to the engine during an overheating by locking in the open position, you must replace it with a new one. There are standard thermostats, then there is the Motorad Fail-Safe Thermostat. Ask for MotoRad’s Fail-Safe Thermostat the next time you need a new thermostat.

Brand: MotoRad

Part Number: 7273-180

UPC: 055644773803

Alternate MPN: 7273180

### Vehicle Fitment Table

Year

Make

Model

Position

Fitment Precision

Note

1987

Volkswagen

Transporter

1988

Volkswagen

Transporter

1989

Volkswagen

Transporter

1990

Volkswagen

Transporter

1991

Volkswagen

Transporter

1992

Volkswagen

Transporter

1993

Volkswagen

Transporter

1983

Volkswagen

Vanagon

1984

Volkswagen

Vanagon

1985

Volkswagen

Vanagon

1986

Volkswagen

Vanagon

1987

Volkswagen

Vanagon

1988

Volkswagen

Vanagon

1989

Volkswagen

Vanagon

1990

Volkswagen

Vanagon

1991

Volkswagen

Vanagon

### FAQ

**Will this fit my vehicle?**  
Please verify your year, make, model, position, and any fitment notes using the Vehicle Fitment Table above before purchase.

**What part number is this?**  
The listed part number is 7273-180.

**Is this product designed for direct replacement?**  
Yes. This product is intended to match the compatible vehicle applications listed in the fitment table.

**Should I confirm fitment before ordering?**  
Yes. Always compare your original part, position, and vehicle details with the fitment table before ordering.

### Common Searches

-   Fail Safe™ Series Thermostat for Volkswagen Transporter
-   7273-180 fitment
-   MotoRad Fail Safe™ Series Thermostat
-   1987 Volkswagen Transporter Fail Safe™ Series Thermostat

## Details

- **Price:** 47.66 CAD
- **Vendor:** MotoRad
- **Type:** Fail Safe™ Series Thermostat
- **Tags:** 1983-1991 Volkswagen Vanagon, 1987-1993 Volkswagen Transporter, 7273-180, Automotive, Fail Safe™ Series Thermostat, MotoRad

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 47.66 CAD | In stock |

## Images

- MotoRad 7273-180 Fail Safe™ Series Thermostat for 1983-1993 Volkswagen Transporter

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> Source: [Standard Auto Part](https://www.standardautopart.com/products/motorad-7273-180-fail-safetm-series-thermostat)
> Updated: 2026-08-17