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. 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

Difficulty: Moderate

Locate the Thermostat

1. Find the hoses that leave your radiator.
2. Trace the top hose back to your engine.
3. Locate the thermostat housing attached at the end of that hose.
4. Verify 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.
6. Unscrew the bolts that secure the thermostat to its housing.
7. Wipe 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.
8. Replace the gasket.
9. Install the new engine thermostat. Make sure the power unit faces the engine.
10. Replace the bolts to secure the thermostat housing to the radiator hose.
11. Reconnect the hose and tighten the screws in the clamp.

Tips & Warnings

• When unscrewing the thermostat bolts, be sure not to lose the clamp screws that hold the housing in place.