Thermostat

**CORYSTA** · 11-01-2010, 04:51 PM

My check engine light came on. I took it to advanced to use their scan tron. It pointed out a thermostat problem. I know nothing about thermostats. Where should I buy one from and how difficult will this job be?

**pajeff02** · 11-01-2010, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by CORYSTA

My check engine light came on. I took it to advanced to use their scan tron. It pointed out a thermostat problem. I know nothing about thermostats. Where should I buy one from and how difficult will this job be?

Any idea what the actual code was?

Swapping out the thermostat is incredibly easy. Getting all the air out of the system after filling it back up is the challenge. I think you can get a Motorad thermostat from most of the parts stores -- that's the OEM style as far as I know. Not a bad idea to do a flush and change out hoses while you have the coolant out of the engine.

**CORYSTA** · 11-02-2010, 08:19 AM

No I dont man. The scanner just said thermostat. I'll prob go with a jet thermostat. What do you mean by get the air out of the system?

**pajeff02** · 11-02-2010, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by CORYSTA

No I dont man. The scanner just said thermostat. I'll prob go with a jet thermostat. What do you mean by get the air out of the system?

When you fill the system, there will be trapped pockets of air. If the air is behind the thermostat it will not make contact with the coolant and as the engine warms up the thermostat will remain closed. This will result in the car overheating and bad things happening if you do not catch it.

I filled our system slowly and then rocked and bounced the car on its suspension to help burp the air bubbles out. Just pay attention to things and you'll be fine. As the car comes up to temp, you should be able to feel the upper radiator hose go from cold to warm to hot. If this does not happen, the thermostat may be in an air pocket.

As the thermostat opens, it will suck down the radiator level a bit and more coolant and/or water will need to be added to the system. Same is true as the air is purged from the heater core. Keep an eye on things, never open the radiator cap on a hot engine, and watch your hands around the fans and pulleys while checking the upper hose.

**sjgreen6** · 11-02-2010, 04:01 PM

Check here for a good write-up of how to do your radiator flush and fill and thermostat http://www.installuniversity.com/ins...sity/index.htm and includes a very good method to ensure you get as much air out of the system as possible during a change. When you go to the site look under "Install Documents" then "160 F Degree Thermostat Swap".

**CORYSTA** · 11-02-2010, 04:51 PM

Thanks for the help! So the service engine soon light went off today. Should I write it up as a faulty reading or just go ahead and repleace the thermostat?

**sjgreen6** · 11-03-2010, 04:42 PM

My advice would be deal with one thing at a time. You know the thermostat needs changed, do that then get the codes cleared and see if anything else sets.