Well here is my attempt at a DIY write up

First make sure the car is nice and cold.
Your going to need bright light and some tools.
10mm open end wrench
10mm socket with universal , 8 inch extension for 1/4 drive ratchet
pliers
adjustable wrench
some antifreeze
catch pan

Now I'm sure you know how to remove the rubber intake tube, so I'm not going into that

Once removed set your light up so you can see clearly.

Now look for this part/ area. in red

Remove the hose that connects to the housing, at this point I hope you have placed the catch pan under the car. But just move the hose out of the way.

OK with a 10mm socket, extension and ratchet loosen the ground strap.

Remove the clip by pushing in on the tab that connects to the temp sensor.

With the adjustable wrench loosen the sensor and take out.

Because of the starter being so close your not going to fit a ratchet for the rear bolt, use the closed end 10mm to break loose both the rear and front bolts that secure the thermostat housing


Once the bolts are out try by hand to loosen the housing, If it's really tight take a small piece of wood and a hammer. VERY GENTLY tap the housing loose (should only take one light hit) Using the wood between the hammer and housing.

Now you can see your thermostat. Before you reach in and ****** it, be sure your catch pan can hold a decent amount of antifreeze. It's going to pour out.


Now if you are doing this right you should only have these parts:


Find your new thermostat and new gasket. In my case the gasket was in fine shape and I reused it. To re-use the gasket place the new and old thermostats next to each other and compare them.

Mine were slightly different, I was given a JR 160 deg

When you remove the old gasket do it slowly and watch for the two little rubber stubs, they go on the inside of the housing.

Once you have installed the gasket, be sure to take a look first to line them up with the housing still attached to the motor.

When you have the new thermostat installed the part should be sitting flush and the small semi-circle cut out should be on the top.


Now it's time to reverse the order of everything I told you.


You should have everything tightened down to the proper specs (unlike me) to prevent any disasters from happening. Cool so you got it all back together now.. make sure you fill up your radiator and check for any leaks.
Remove all your tools and the catch pan under the car and start it.
Watch carefully for any leaks or something you missed.
Then go out for a test drive.

After 10 mins from starting the car I was on the local highway cruising...

then opened it up for a little stretch

Once back on the streets


I did notice that the car was running a tiny bit cooler when ON the gas thru 4th into 5th, but other then that the guage looked like it was in the normal spot...

disclaimer- If I gave bad directions, shame on you for not checking to see if they were 100%

Have fun!

 

um you have a check engine light on... why are you beating on it?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 137 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">um you have a check engine light on... why are you beating on it? </TD></TR></TABLE>

i guess he have TEST-pipe or str8 exhaust something

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris DC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i guess he have TEST-pipe or str8 exhaust something </TD></TR></TABLE>

no, checklite is from the hamster stuck in his IM

 

good write up. reminds me of the time when i replaced mine, and when i flushed the system i had all this rubber debris come out.

 

why did you take the sensor out?

 

Good writeup !! We need more posts like this one

 

nicely done and the details were just HELM'S status.

Thanks for sharing Rob (Bbasso).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rathead &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why did you take the sensor out?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Probably because his hands were too big.

I generally do not touch the sensor and sneak a 10mm wrench in there and snap it loose..... but this extra step can save a lot of anguish those unfamiliar or unwilling to feel around the bottom of the thermo housing.

GOod write uP

 

It would of also been a great time to drain and replace the engine coolant ......

Removal of sensor is optional

"check engine" light bulb

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 137 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">um you have a check engine light on... why are you beating on it? </TD></TR></TABLE>

CEL seems normal to me.

btw, Rob, what were the symptoms your car was having before replacing the thermostat?

 

Few things - no need to remove that temp sensor.... or the hose. Also you can get to it with a shallow socket and a swivel joint.

Otherwise... good stuff Rob

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RagingAngel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Probably because his hands were too big.

I generally do not touch the sensor and sneak a 10mm wrench in there and snap it loose..... but this extra step can save a lot of anguish those unfamiliar or unwilling to feel around the bottom of the thermo housing.

GOod write uP </TD></TR></TABLE>

BINGO! big hands, and big feet too

As for the CEL, yup... testpipe

 

Thanks for taking the time to write this up Rob. If you jacked the right side of the car up, would you have to worry about coolant pouring out?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CPR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for taking the time to write this up Rob. If you jacked the right side of the car up, would you have to worry about coolant pouring out?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I doubt it... it came rushing out. But if you have a clean catch pan and your motor is not nasty You could re-use the anitfreeze like I did

 

I have never taken the fan switch out.. i always just use an extension and get it on there and bam! take that **** off.

Good write-up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ebelp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">CEL seems normal to me. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Its like a warm, calming glow.

 

Rob, why is the temperature reading near the middle?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mistersparco &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Rob, why is the temperature reading near the middle?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Cuz he drives like a maniac...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mistersparco &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Rob, why is the temperature reading near the middle?

</TD></TR></TABLE>


Looks normal to me. Mine sits about where his is maybe a little lower.

Nice writeup

 

Mine never goes past the 1/4 mark.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ebelp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Mine never goes past the 1/4 mark.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Actully come to think of it I think you are right. I haven't driven mine since November so I was thinking it never went past half but I think mine doesn't go past a quarter either. Guess I'll have to wait till I pull her out to see.

 

Good write up yooooooooooo

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bbasso &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

BINGO! big hands, and big feet too

As for the CEL, yup... testpipe</TD></TR></TABLE>

You know what they say about guys with big hands and feet...........

 

My gauge sits exactly where his is in the 3rd shot... I never see it move (except a little at HPDE's).

Either I'm lucky or that temp gauge is a sham.

-Chris