How to Replace the Thermostat On a '95 Buick LeSabre

The initial concept of the Buick LeSabre was an ultra-high-tech vehicle for the 1950s and, according to Concept Carz, it cost between $500,000 and $1,000,000 to build. The LeSabre that Buick released in 1959 was not nearly as advanced as the concept, but it still sold well. The 1995 LeSabre came standard with a 3.8-liter, V-6 engine that produced 170 horsepower. A combination of a thermostat that regulated coolant flow and fans that cooled the coolant kept the 3.8-liter at an acceptable operating temperature. Replacing the thermostat in the 1995 LeSabre is a straightforward task that requires only moderate automotive repair skills.

Instructions

1

Remove the upper engine cover, if applicable, by removing the nuts securing it, with a ratchet and socket, and pulling it from the engine.

2

Raise the front of the LeSabre with a floor jack, and slide jack stands under the sub-frame. Lower the LeSabre until only the jack stands support its weight.

3

Crawl under the vehicle and place a drain pan under the radiator drain plug. Loosen the radiator drain plug with a ratchet and socket. Allow about two inches of coolant to drain into the drain pan and close the drain plug with a ratchet and socket. If the system has overheated, drain all of the coolant from the radiator.

4

Raise the LeSabre with a floor jack and remove the jack stands from under it. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

5

Remove the two bolts securing the thermostat housing to the engine with a ratchet, swivel adapter and a socket. Pull the thermostat housing from the engine, exposing the thermostat below it.

6

Remove and discard the old thermostat and thermostat gasket. Scrape the mating surface on the engine and thermostat housing with a plastic gasket scraper. Wipe the mating surfaces clean with a clean, lint-free cloth.

7

Set the new thermostat gasket on the engine and place the new thermostat in the engine, with the spring going into the engine. Set the thermostat housing over the thermostat and tighten the thermostat housing bolts to 20 foot-pounds with a torque wrench, swivel adapter and socket.

8

Open the radiator and fill it with 50-50 premixed Dex-Cool coolant. Start the vehicle and allow it to reach operating temperature. Add coolant each time the level drops, as air will be purged from the system. Shut the engine down and close the radiator cap once the coolant level remains steady.

9

Allow the engine to cool and check the coolant level in the radiator reservoir. Add 50-50 premixed Dex-Cool coolant until it reaches the "Max" level on the reservoir. The 1995 LeSabre's system holds a total of 3.25 gallons, but the amount needed to refill the system depends on how much coolant you drained in Step 3.

10

Pour the old coolant from the drain pan into the empty coolant containers and take the used coolant to a used automotive fluid recycling center. Many auto parts stores perform this task free of charge.