How to Find and Replace the Engine Thermostat
The engine thermostat tells you if your car is running hot or cold, and is critical to maintaining your vehicle in proper working condition....
The engine thermostat tells you if your car is running hot or cold, and is critical to maintaining your vehicle in proper working condition. You can save a trip to the repair shop, not to mention an expensive repair bill, by knowing how to find and replace the thermostat yourself. Read on to learn how to find and replace the engine thermostat.
Instructions
Locate the Thermostat
- 1
Find the hoses that leave your radiator.
2Trace the top hose back to your engine.
3Locate the thermostat housing attached at the end of that hose.
4Verify the location in your owner's manual, as some manufacturers house the thermostat at the bottom of the radiator rather than the top. This makes removal far more difficult.
Replace the Thermostat
- 5
Locate the clamp that secures the thermostat to the radiator hose. Unscrew this clamp and gently remove it from the engine. You might see radiator fluid or coolant come out of the hose at this stage, in which case you can catch it in a drip pan and dispose of it later on.
6Unscrew the bolts that secure the thermostat to its housing.
7Wipe out the inside of the hose with a rag to ensure it is free of debris. If anything falls into your radiator, it can result in expensive repairs.
8Replace the gasket.
9Install the new engine thermostat. Make sure the power unit faces the engine.
10Replace the bolts to secure the thermostat housing to the radiator hose.
11Reconnect the hose and tighten the screws in the clamp.