How to Reinstall Parts for Your Car's Thermostat

Replacing your car thermostat is a fairly easy do-it-yourself job or shade tree mechanic project. Be sure to take care of this job as soon as you notice a problem, as the cooling system is vital to your engine function and the life of the engine itself.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Screw gun
• Socket attachment

1. Remove the old or malfunctioning thermostat and discard it. Inspect the new thermostat for damage. If there is damage, exchange it for a new one. If not, install it in the thermostat housing.

2. Reinstall the belt according to the diagram under the hood of your car. This process is specific to the make, model and sometimes year of your vehicle. If the diagram is no longer under the hood, or is unreadable, check your vehicle's repair manual.

3. Inspect the radiator hose for excessive wear, cracking or damage before reinstalling it. To reinstall, run the hose under the air conditioning line and into the thermostat housing, and secure it with a hose clamp. Run the other end of the hose into the upper radiator hole and secure it with another hose clamp.

4. Slip the intake ductwork back into place and reconnect the vacuum line. Use a screwdriver to secure the throttle body lines. Snap the engine nameplate back over the engine. Start all the nameplate bolts by hand, then tighten them down with a socket-ended screw gun.

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