How to Replace the Thermostat on a 1995 Ford Contour ES

steps for changing your thermostat

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• new thermostat, set of mm tools, flat head screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, Non Harding heat resistant gasket maker, Pair of channel lock pliers, A 1” scraper, A fine grade of sandpaper

1. When you are going to change the thermostat on your 1995 Ford Contour ES, always use caution, because any anti-freeze that accidentally falls on the ground is very dangerous to animals, so you would want to not only keep your pets away from it, but take extra measures to prevent any unwanted spills.

2. You should buy the parts to replace the thermostat before you begin doing any work, and make sure that you have the right sized wrenches to do the job. By checking your tools before you make your trip to the parts store, would save an extra trip after you purchased the parts and got home, and found out you need a certain size wrench that you do not have.

3. Most nuts and bolts on this type of automobile use metric sizes wrenches and sockets. Usually a number 10 mm will do this particular job, however, some bolts can range from an 8 mm to an 11 mm. it might be a good idea if you already do not have a set of metric tools that you pick some up.

4. You are ready to start changing the thermostat; and all the necessary precautions have been taken care of. It will be a good idea to disconnect the negative battery cable. After the engine has had time to cool off and there is no threat that you will get burnt from the water, take off the radiator cap, and look at the bottom of the radiator, you will see a knob, which is called a water cock; turn the knob so that it will release the water from the radiator. Allow the water to empty into a pan until it is lower than the top radiator hose. Turn the water cock back to the off position.

5. Now follow the top of the radiator hose to the engine, and you will see where it goes onto the motor, if the clamp that holds the water hose is factory made you may have to use a pair of channel locks to squeeze the clamp together and slid it off the goose neck (water outlet).

6. Once that is done you will be able to unscrew the bolts that hold the water outlet on, you are not suppose to pry the housing off, but I have always had to. Once you have the housing in your hand, you will probably notice that the paper gasket has been damaged; scrape the excess gasket off both the housing and where it goes into the engine, and sand with a fine grade of sandpaper.

7. After the gasket has been cleaned put some liquid gasket maker around the housing and bolt everything back up, put the hose back on, and refill the radiator with new anti-freeze, connect the battery back up, and start the engine. Let the engine run for approximately five minutes to allow the hot water to open the thermostat. Make sure there are no leaks that need to be tightened up.

8. I hope I have been some help to some of the do-it-yourselfers, out there.

Tips & Warnings

• You should buy the parts to replace the thermostat before you begin doing any work, and make sure that you have the right sized wrenches to do the job. By checking your tools before you make your trip to the parts store, would save an extra trip after you purchased the parts and got home, and found out you need a certain size wrench that you do not have.
• When you are going to change the thermostat on your 1995 Ford Contour ES, always use caution, because any anti-freeze that accidentally falls on the ground is very dangerous to animals, so you would want to not only keep your pets away from it, but take extra measures to prevent any unwanted spills.

[SchoolOfLife]

on 3/14/2009 This was an enjoyable article. Look forward to reading more from you. :)

[ashiflett]

on 9/6/2008 Great article!!!

[ChrisShiflett]

on 8/21/2008 great article!