Thermostat Removal

On the 6-cylinder engine, the thermostat housing (arrow) is located on the right side of the cylinder block.

Removing a seized thermostat on the road is quite a difficult task. It is located deep down, so almost all of the coolant must be drained. In addition, with a hot engine you will have to wait a long time before you can start working without risking scalding your hands. When installing a new thermostat, the sealing gasket on the thermostat housing or water pump must also be replaced.

PROCEDURE

Drain the coolant completely.

Models with 4-cylinder engines: remove the engine undershield (refer to Body Components chapter).

Remove the hose at the bottom of the water pump housing (already done to drain the coolant).

Unscrew the two bolts on the cover at the lower part of the thermostat housing.

Remove the cover and the thermostat.

Models with 5-cylinder engines: unscrew the two bolts on the thermostat housing cover.

Press the cover aside and remove the thermostat.

Models with 6-cylinder engines: remove the V-ribbed belt and remove the tensioner assembly (Alternator).

Remove the timing belt cover (refer to Engine chapter). The timing belt itself remains installed.

Remove the cooling system hose leading to the radiator, located at the bottom of the thermostat housing connection.

Unscrew the two bolts on the thermostat housing cover.

Carefully lift the timing belt over the partition on the thermostat housing, and remove the thermostat housing.

Remove the thermostat.

All models: when installing a new thermostat, its smaller sealing plate must face toward the engine.

6-cylinder models only: the air valve on the outer ring of the thermostat must face upward.

Replace the gasket.

Tighten the bolts on the thermostat housing or water pump to 10 N·m.