Find solution

The thermostat on the 1988 Buick LeSabre is located partially inside the intake manifold and the thermostat housing. Because the thermostat sits higher than the fluid level in the radiator, replacing the thermostat in the LeSabre is an uncomplicated task. Fortunately, the thermostat housing is not hidden among engine accessories. This makes it easier to reach, remove and replace a broken thermostat.

Instructions

1

Follow the upper radiator hose to the point where the hose connects to the LeSabres engine. The metal connector to which the hose connects is the thermostat housing.

2

Disconnect the radiator hose from the housing by squeezing the pressure tabs on the radiator hose clamp together with a pair of pliers. With the pressure released, pull the hose off the housing. A small amount of fluid may run onto the engine block. To minimize this, hold the hose vertical for a few seconds to drain the fluid back into the radiator.

3

Remove the two bolts that secure the thermostat housing to the Buicks intake manifold with a 7/16-inch socket and ratchet. With the bolts removed, apply pressure on the side of the housing with the ball of your hand to break the seal between the housing and the intake.

4

Pull the old thermostat out of the intake manifold and plug the hole with a shop towel to prevent anything from getting into the coolant system of your Buick.

5

Scrape all the old gasket material off the bottom of the thermostat housing and the mating surface of the intake manifold. Brush off any debris with a shop towel.

6

Remove the shop towel from the intake manifold and place the new thermostat into the hole. The end with the large spring submerges into the intake manifold and the end with the pin sits inside the thermostat housing.

7

Place a thin bead of RTV gasket maker on the bottom edge of the thermostat gasket. Allow the RTV gasket maker to firm up for approximately 20 minutes. This creates a small layer of "skin" on the RTV.

8

Place the thermostat housing onto the intake manifold and bolt it into place. Do not wipe off any excess RTV. It serves as additional sealant.

9

Squeeze the pressure tabs on the radiator hose clamp. With pressure released, slide the hose onto the thermostat housing and then let go of the tabs.

A faulty thermostat can cause a number of problems, such as engine overheating and reduced cooling system efficiency. Although the thermostat is a small, inexpensive component, its absolutely critical to the proper operation of a liquid-cooled engine. The 3.0-liter engine in a 2001 Toyota Avalon contains a thermostat thats designed to open at a temperature of 176 to 183 degrees Fahrenheit. The most common thermostat fault is a failure to open. In this situation, the thermostat valve doesnt open when it should, preventing coolant from properly circulating and causing the engine to overheat.

Instructions

Removal

1

Allow the engine to cool for at least two hours to prevent burns and other injuries related to the high temperate of the engine and engine coolant.

2

Raise the vehicle with a jack and support it with jack stands. Remove the radiator cap and place a drain pan underneath the radiator. Loosen the drain valve with a ratchet and metric socket. Allow the coolant to drain out until the stream flowing from the radiator slows to a drip. This may take 30 minutes or more. Close the radiator drain valve. Place the drain pan under the engine, beneath the thermostat housing.

3

Remove the bolts holding the V-bank cover in place at the top of the engine with a 5 mm hex wrench. Remove the bolts holding the air cleaner hose and resonator in place with a ratchet and metric socket. Then remove the air cleaner assembly from the vehicle.

4

Squeeze the spring clamps holding the heater hoses to the water inlet with a pair of pliers and slide them down the water hoses. Pull the heater hoses off of the water inlet.

5

Disconnect the coolant temperature sensors electrical connector. Remove the nut holding the wire protector to the water inlet with a ratchet and metric socket and remove the protector from the inlet.

6

Remove the bolts holding the water inlet pipe to the water inlet with a ratchet and metric socket. Remove the water inlet pipe from the water inlet.

7

Remove the nuts holding the water inlet to the cylinder head, then remove the water inlet from the cylinder head. Remove the thermostat from the inlet.

Installation

8

Install a new gasket onto the new thermostat. Set the water pump inside the cylinder head opening so that the small jiggle valve on top of the in line with the top-center water inlet valve mounting stud.

9

Set the water inlet valve onto the cylinder head so the cylinder head studs pass through the holes in the water inlet. Install the water inlet nuts and tighten them to 69 inch-pounds with a torque wrench.

10

Remove the old O-ring from the water inlet pipe. Install a new O-ring on the water inlet pipe and coat it with soapy water. Install the water inlet pipe into the water inlet, then install the water inlet pipe mounting bolt into the cylinder head and torque it to 14 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

11

Set the engine wire protector into position and reinstall its retaining nut with a ratchet and metric socket. Reconnect the coolant temperature sensors electrical connector.

12

Connect both heater hoses to the water inlet. Squeeze the spring clamps with a pair of pliers and slide them down the hoses and release the pliers when they are in their original position.

13

Set the air cleaner and resonator assembly into position and reinstall its retaining bolts. Set the V-bank cover into position and reinstall its retaining bolts with a 5 mm hex wrench.

14

Fill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of Toyota Long Life Coolant and distilled water until it reaches the top. Replace the radiator cap and fill the coolant reservoir with the same mixture until it reaches the FULL mark. Start the engine and allow it to come up to operating temperature. Check for coolant leaks and then re-check the coolant level. Add coolant if necessary to raise the coolant level to the FULL mark on the side of the coolant reservoir.

If the thermostat in the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan malfunctions, the engine may not warm up properly and you may not be able to heat the cabin of the vehicle. This is annoying for the driver and passengers, especially if the thermostat fails in the winter. If the thermostat fails, replace the thermostat as quickly as possible to prevent extended use of the vehicle without proper engine heating.

Instructions

1

Drain two gallons of radiator fluid from the radiator via the petcock on the bottom of the radiator. You can reuse the fluid later so use a clean container.

2

Locate the thermostat by following the upper radiator hose from the radiator to the housing on the engine.

3

Pry the clamp off the hose with a pair of pliers. Pull the hose off the housing.

4

Remove the bolts that secure the housing to the Caravans engine with a socket and ratchet. Pull the housing off the engine.

5

Pull the thermostat out of the engine. Remove and discard the thermostat gasket.

6

Clean the surface of the thermostat housing and the engine with a clean towel.

7

Install the new gasket. Put the new thermostat into the hole.

8

Place the thermostat housing on top of the gasket. Thread the bolts into the housing with your fingers. Tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet.

9

Slide the hose onto the housing. Secure the hose with the clamp.

10

Pour the radiator fluid back into the radiator.