Changing your cars thermostat may sound like a challenging job, but with a little muscle and will power, it can be fairly simple to do. The Thermostat regulates your engines temperature by circulating the coolant through the engine block. It also controls the heater coil of your car during the winter months. A thermostat that sticks or has become faulty can cause your engine to over heat. With many engine blocks today being made from aluminum, the last thing you want your car to do is run hot. It is often best if you change your thermostat out when ever you change your coolant. (Once A Year)

Steps to change out thermostat:

1) Make sure the engine is cool. Do not ever attempt to work on your cars cooling system when the motor is hot. The release of sudden pressures from removing the radiator cap could blow back and scald you. Let the car cool over night if you have to.

2) After you have determined the engine is cool, trace the top hose of your radiator to the top of the engine block. A hose clamp will be around the hose and goose neck of the fitting.

3) Two bolts hold the goose neck on the block, you will need a 9/16 wrench or a 11 mm wrench according to the bolts and type vehicle you are working on. Remove the two bolts from the block.

4) Place a drip pan underneath your car to catch any coolant that may come out of the hose. This protects your pets and the environment.

5) Fold the Hose over to one side out of the way. You can tie it to something in the engine compartment. Just make sure no coolant is still escaping from the hose. It should stop after you have secured it.

6) look at the top of the thermostats seat, where you removed the hose. You will see a removable piece called the thermostat, underneath the thermostat you will find the gasket that will have to be removed from the block. Note the position of the thermostat. The bell of the thermostat with compression spring should be at the top.

7) Remove the thermostat from it's position. Inspect the numbers running along the rim of the housing of the thermostat. It will show you the part number and the compression number of the spring of the thermostat. This is important to know because engines sometimes have different ratios of spring tension. To strong of a spring compression and your motor will still over heat.

8) Make sure the auto parts person gives you the right thermostat by matching these numbers. They often do not look or care whether you have the right one for your car

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