How to Install an Engine Thermostat

An engine thermostat is an essential component of the engine cooling system. It regulates the temperature of the coolant and ensures that your engine remains cool. Thermostats work because of a wax pellet embedded in the thermostat. When the wax pellet heats up to a certain temperature (typically 195 degrees), it expands and pushes on the thermostat plunger, thereby allowing coolant to flow through the radiator. From time to time, these thermostats fail and remain open or closed, causing the engine to run too cool or too hot, respectively. The more dangerous situation is the latter because an overheated engine can cause serious engine damage.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need:

* Thermostat
* Ratchet
* Sockets
* Flathead screwdriver
* Sandpaper
* Drain bucket


Step 1

Allow the vehicle to cool down.

Step 2

Drain the coolant from the radiator by unscrewing the drain bolt at the bottom of the radiator located at either the right or left corner.

Step 3

Follow the upper radiator hose leading to the engine, and where the hose is attached is the thermostat cover.

Step 4

Unscrew the hose at the thermostat cover, and remove by twisting and pulling.

Step 5

Loosen the thermostat cover, and remove it.

Step 6

Remove the old thermostat, and replace the new one.

Step 7

Reinstall thermostat cover with the new gasket. Scrape off the old gasket material completely or coolant could leak at the joint.

Step 8

Reattach the upper coolant hose to the thermostat cover and tighten.

Step 9

Screw the drain bolt back into the radiator, and re-fill the radiator with a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water.

Step 10

With the radiator cap off, start the vehicle and rev the motor up to 2,000 RPMs for a minute with the heat on max. You are allowing the coolant to circulate through the system and are eliminating all air pockets from the coolant. This is called "bleeding" the cooling system and ensures that it runs at the proper temperature without worry that any overheating will occur.

Step 11

Reinstall the radiator cap.



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Engine thermostat is important in regulating temperature in your engine. Now, you can install engine thermostat in your car without spending too much money.

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