How To Replace Your Vehicle's Thermostat

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HomeHome, Auto, & Hobbies ArticlesAutomotive ArticlesCar Repair & Maintenance ArticlesGeneral Car Repair & Maintenance ArticlesHow to Replace Your Vehicle's ThermostatByDeanna Sclar Updated2021-12-03 19:07:32From the bookAuto Repair For DummiesShare

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If your vehicle has been overheating or doesn’t warm up properly, you may need to replace your thermostat. If the thermostat sticks in the open position, it doesn’t keep the liquid in the engine long enough, so you have trouble getting your car warmed up. If the thermostat sticks in the closed position, the liquid isn’t allowed to get to the radiator, and overheating results.

Because replacing the thermostat is quite simple and thermostats are quite inexpensive, you may want to try this task before you take more drastic measures. Just be sure that you do this when your engine is completely cooled.

Locate your thermostat if you haven’t already done so.

Most thermostats are located where the top radiator hose joins the engine, so these steps deal with this type. If your thermostat is in the bottom radiator hose, the principle is the same.

Place a bucket under where you're going to be working.

Some fluid will escape, so have a clean two-gallon container handy to catch it, and return the fluid to the radiator when you finish the job.

Remove the clamp.

Follow your radiator hose to where your thermostat is located.

Pull off the hose.

This is when some fluid will escape and drain into your bucket.

Remove the bolts that hold the thermostat housing in place and lift out the old thermostat.

Compare the new thermostat and its gasket with the old ones. If the new thermostat and the gasket that’s included with it aren’t exactly like the old ones, go back to the store for the right ones.

Lay the new gasket in place.

There’s a gasket around the hole where the thermostat was located — take that off, too. Scrape off any pieces of gasket that may be stuck, but be sure not to let these pieces fall into the hole!

Drop in and secure the new thermostat.

Make sure to place the spring-side down; then replace the bolts.

Replace the hose and hose clamp.

If your hose clamp uses screws, screw it down tightly but not tight enough to cut into the hose.

Replace whatever fluid ran out of the hose by pouring it from the container into the radiator fill hole or coolant reservoir.

Be sure not to pour it on the ground where children and animals can be endangered by it. If you accidentally spill fluid, wipe it up thoroughly before hosing down the area, and then place the rags in a sealed plastic bag before disposing of them.

About This Article

This article is from the book: 

Auto Repair For Dummies

About the book author:

Deanna Sclar is an acclaimed auto repair expert. She has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows, including NBC's Today show and the NBCNightly News. Sclar lectures internationally on the ecological impact of vehicles and is active in promoting residential solar energy programs. Sclar is also the author of Buying a Car For Dummies.

This article can be found in the category: 

General Car Repair & Maintenance

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