How do I replace my thermostat?

[91' loyale Sub]

I was wondering how I replace a thermostat on a 91 loyale. I dont know much about repairing cars. Is this an easy thing to do for a newbie? I would apreciate any help, thanks.

[mikeshoup]

I don't know where the thermostat housing is on your car (I don't own an EA-82 car, I have an XT6), but the steps are fairly simple:

 

1. Drain the coolant
   
2. Take the bolts off the thermostat housing
   
3. Remove the old thermostat, and the thermostat gasket
   
4. Put the new thermostate and gasket in the same way the old one came out
   
5. put the thermostat housing back together
   
6. Fill it back up with coolant
   

 

Not too difficult... Google's really helpful on these simple things.

Here's a link to some directions found on google. Seem to cover everything.

 

Maybe somebody can correct me on anything?

[Caboobaroo]

If you follow th top radiator hose, it'll go into a fitting on the engine (actually the intake) and there are two bolts that hold this fitting onto the engine. Those two bolts hold on the thermostat housing and inside is the thermostat.

[91' loyale Sub]

If you follow th top radiator hose, it'll go into a fitting on the engine (actually the intake) and there are two bolts that hold this fitting onto the engine. Those two bolts hold on the thermostat housing and inside is the thermostat.

thanks! I have a really dumb question, which reveals my obviouse ignorance about cars in general. Haha! How do I drain the coolant?

[mikeshoup]

D'oh, its easy to do.

 

1. Remove radiator caps
   
2. Place a bucket or something to catch the coolant under the drain plug on the radiator
   
3. Remove the drain plug, and wait.
   

 

Filling back up is, you guessed it, the opposite.

1. Put the drain plug back in
   
2. Pour the mix of 50/50 until at max
   
3. Keep the radiator cap off, start the engine, let it warm up and watch the coolant swirl and the level drop
   
4. Top off the coolant
   
5. Put the radiator caps back on.
   

[91' loyale Sub]

ahhh yes of course, thats all rather intuitive, but I guess i shuold have been more straight forward and asked where the drain plug is? This is the last of my lame questions I promise. Thanks

[mikeshoup]

On the bottom of the radiator

[hooziewhatsit]

the drain plug will be on the bottom passenger side of the radiator.

 

Also, you don't have to drain all the coolant to change the thermostat. But I would recommend it if you haven't changed the coolant in a while.

 

If you take the rad cap off it will also greatly speed up the draining process.

 

edit: make sure you put the new thermostat in the same way that the old one came out, ie, spring going down.