How to Change the Thermostat on a 2001 Mercury Villager

Your 2001 Mercury Villager came equipped with a 3.3-liter V-6 engine. The cooling system on that engine comprises a pump, two heat exchanger units, various hoses and a thermostat. The thermostat is nothing more than a temperature-operated valve, opening and closing at a specific temperature. On your Villager, the manufacturer recommended temperature at which the thermostat opens is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. When the thermostat in your engine stops functioning properly, you will need to change it.

Instructions

1

Make sure the engine is cool. Open the hood and remove the radiator cap by pressing down and turning it counterclockwise. Place the drain pan under the cooling system drain plug on the driver's side bottom of the radiator and open the valve by turning it counterclockwise.

2

Remove the bolt on the mounting clamp in the middle of the radiator hose, near the distributor, if so equipped. Many mechanics will leave this off during reassembly, so yours may be missing.

3

Remove the four bolts securing the thermostat housing to the engine block by turning them counterclockwise with a socket, ratchet and short extension.

4

Grasp the housing and pull it off the block at an angle. Remove the old thermostat, making note of the thermostat orientation as your thermostat is directional. Clean both mating surfaces thoroughly with the gasket scraper.

5

Install the new thermostat, paying attention to orientation There is a small valve in the thermostat which must be installed at the 12 O'clock position. Coat both mating surfaces with a thin bead of RTV blue sealant and affix the gasket to the housing.

6

Hold the thermostat housing and gasket in place while you insert the four bolts into the housing and turn them clockwise by hand until finger tight. Torque the bolts to between 12 and 15 foot-pounds using the torque wrench.

7

Refill the radiator and start the engine. Allow the engine to come to operating temperature while checking your work for leaks. Refill the radiator as necessary to bring the coolant to normal operating levels.