Should I change tstat?

[4by4runr]

So in just finishing up with my timing belt and was originally planning on doing my tstat but I've read that if it's currently operating correctly just to leave it. I did see a little bit of crud on it while the intake was off. Was holding temp before at little bit below halfway mark. Current mileage 176k original tstat.
Thoughts?

 

[ZebRuaj]

Throw it in a pot of hot water. If it opens up, still good.

But it's just a few bucks more, and you already have the engine bay opened up, so why not?

 

[hunterD1]

i changed mine at 100k when i did the timing belt, figured to spend and extra 20.00 bucks to get an oem T-stat and have piece of mind, working or not you don't want that headache if it craps out a few miles later.

 

[nevada]

So in just finishing up with my timing belt and was originally planning on doing my tstat but I've read that if it's currently operating correctly just to leave it. I did see a little bit of crud on it while the intake was off. Was holding temp before at little bit below halfway mark. Current mileage 176k original tstat.
Thoughts?

I would change it. you already have it apart, and its got 176k miles on it...

 

[4by4runr]

Looks like 3x change takes the win- thanks guys