Thermostat As Maintenance ?

Do you guys change your thermostat as maintenance - if so at what mileage ? How hard is it ? How much time ? Anybody get in trouble because they didn't change it and it got stuck ? Any better link ? Any reply and or links appreciated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=858i1Ce0QIE

 

They don't get stuck like they used to in the old days.

All you need to do with cooling is, check for leaks, replace coolant every 10 years or so, wash the rad from time to time.

If the t-stat is stuck, you either have no cabin heat, or it doesn't get up to temp. If your heat gauge goes to center and you have cabin heat. The t-stat is fine and no need to replace.

 

Years ago I changed the thermostat on an 1989 Plymouth Voyager V6. Apples-Oranges I know, but it was stuck open in the winter and I put cardboard in front of the radiator. One of the bolts snapped. Luckily my neighbor at the time worked at a national auto repair chain. Went there to get a tap & die set. Also 'Easy Out', to get the broken bolt out. Should be called 'Diffi-out' - not so easy. Anyway I made a new thread 1 mm larger than the original.

I'm posting this because if the thermostat is replaced during cold weather, you may want to warm the engine at least a little bit. Then again, maybe temperature had nothing to do with it. And - as stated above, probably best to just leave it alone if there's no signs of it not working right.

 

On my V6, I replaced hoses and thermostat when I changed the coolant at 100K. Did same on wife’s 07 Lexus. That was probably too soon. The hoses and thermostat looked in real good shape. I now recommend wait till second coolant replacement, at 150K. Replace belt then also.

 

Thanks. How do YOU clean the radiator ? Do you use a chemical cleaner and a sprayer ? If you use a pressure washer you could bend the fins. Thanks .

 

Honestly I pressure wash without worrying, but I keep the distance. The weak fins of yesteryears are gone. I wash customers rads every day without issue.

If I'm cleaning between the rad and ac condenser I half the pressure to the wand using the valve we have. But its rare I need to clean between the two rads.

 

Thanks - I just helped my Brother in Law change out the pipe - . I don't think we changed the thermostat - I'll check. He has 250K and it doesn't over heat.

 

Thanks for the reply and information. I guess I'll be OK if real careful with the pressure.

 

My prior vehicle was a 2004 Ford and had the original heater hoses and thermostat. I did change the radiator hoses but that was about two years ago.

 

How do you know if the hoses need to be replaced. I have 150K now and they seem 2 B OK. Thanks.

 

I've done mine twice now. Each time I've flushed the coolant I changed it. Changed first time at 75k, 2nd at 150k and will do it again at 225k. Cheap part and easy to do.

 

Wow - nice post. Mine look pretty good especially compared to the pictures you posted.

 

Did you use OEM or after market ?

 

+1 on fill ups and oil check. Head under the hood looking around. My wife has a RAV 4 and loves the dealership (?) but about once a week, I open the hod and take a look.

 

Ha Ha - hope U have lots of $$ to keep your wife happy going to the Stealership !

 

Aftermarket. Whatever the local parts store had in stock.

 

She is really a kind woman. She does not like to watch me drag out the jackstands and floor jack in order to douse myself with dirty oil, cursing that low slung auto all the while. And if I was in California, I'd get cancer.

 

"And if I was in California, I'd get cancer." LOL

 

Thanks.

 

I changed the thermostat on my 2.7 at 170k while replacing the cracked coolant bypass pipe. Never had an issue with the factory thermostat I pulled out, kept it in the parts box. Because thermostats have moving parts, I've always believed they are a wear part that need periodic replacement, like a fan clutch or a belt tensioner. Also they are cheap and easy to replace, on most vehicles anyway.
The only time I ever had a thermostat issue was when I put a "failsafe" thermostat in my 1992 Thunderbird. (I was young and thought it would be a good idea... you know, for safety LOL.) The failsafe thermostat immediately locked in the open position during the very first drive, preventing the engine from reaching full temperature after that. This taught me to use standard thermostats rated at the standard engine temperature. Never had an issue since.