Replacing a thermostat on a car is quite easy and takes only 45 minutes to an hour to do it. You know it’s time to replace your thermostat when your car is constantly overheating or operating at a higher than normal temperature.
Draining the Antifreeze
Not all thermostats are in the same place in each car. Find and follow the top hose of the radiator to where it connects to the thermostat housing. This is where the opposite end of the upper tube of the radiator is mounted on the motor. Drain the coolant from your radiator until it is below the thermostat. If you do not drain the coolant, this will cause your antifreeze to leak on the floor. This is very dangerous for animals and small children. Take precautions and drain the coolant properly.
Remove the Old Parts
You then loosen the clamp and remove the radiator hose from the thermostat housing. Make sure you have towels or rags nearby to catch the antifreeze when you remove the hose from the radiator of the thermostat housing. You must remove the thermostat housing from the motor. Start by removing the bolts that hold the case in place. Then you should be able to remove the housing directly from the motor. After removing the housing, you can then remove the old thermostat. Be sure to take note of the alignment for future reference. Have a cloth in your hand and place it in the thermostat mounting hole so that no seal material can get into the engine. After that, you can scrape the seal of the housing and the motor.
Install the Parts
Now that you have scraped the seal, housing and motor, you can install one of the new fail-safe thermostats. Be sure to position it the same way as the old one. It is important to be sure. If you are not the thermostat may be ineffective. Reinstall the casing and make sure the bolts are locked. Use your torque wrench according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Do not tighten them too much. Replace the radiator hose on the thermostat housing and clamp. You should now recharge the radiator with coolant and start your car.
