Replacement procedure
1 of 3Photo 1: Remove the old thermostat
Pry off the gooseneck. Then remove the thermostat from the engine or the inside of
the gooseneck.
2 of 3Photo 2: Clean both mating surfaces
Use a plastic scraper to remove the old
gasket and any sealing compound. Then
dry the surfaces with a rag.
3 of 3Photo 3: Install the new thermostat and gasket
Place the new thermostat in the
recessed groove in either the engine or
gooseneck (air bleed toward the top).
Hold it in place with a self-adhesive gasket.
Then apply a bead of RTV sealant.
In most cases, the cause of an overheating
or no-heat condition in your
vehicle is a faulty thermostat. And
since a new “T-stat” costs only about
$8, it makes more sense to replace it
than to spend hours diagnosing the
problem. If that doesn't fix it, at least
you're only out about two hours.
Pick up a new T-stat and gasket, as
well as RTV sealant, fresh coolant (to
top off the system) and hose-clamping
pliers at an auto parts store. And
while you're there, ask the clerk for the
torque specs for the gooseneck bolts.
Then gather up your metric sockets, a
plastic scraper and a drip pan. Slide
the drip pan under the engine to catch
the spilled coolant.
The T-stat is usually located near the
top of the engine under a “gooseneck”
housing attached to the upper radiator
hose. If yours isn't there, consult a
shop manual to locate it. Remove the
two or three bolts that hold the gooseneck
in place and remove the T-stat
(Photo 1). Next, clean both the engine
and the gooseneck sealing surfaces
(Photo 2). If the parts store gave you a
plain gasket, coat one side with RTV
sealant (self-adhesive gaskets don't
need sealant). Then install the T-stat
and gasket (Photo 3). If the old T-stat
used a rubber O-ring instead of a gasket,
lubricate the new one with fresh coolant
before you insert it. Reinstall the
gooseneck and top off the coolant.
