The cooling system in your 1998 Plymouth Neon has only one mechanical part that regulates the amount of radiator fluid that keeps the engine properly cooled. This part is called the thermostat and over time it can stop working properly. If this happens, your Neon can overheat and cost thousands to repair. This is why it's important to change the thermostat on an aging car. With a few dollars and a little time you can prevent your Neon from crippling engine damage.
Instructions
- 1
Remove the two bolts that hold the thermostat cover onto the intake manifold of the Neon with an adjustable wrench and then lift up on the thermostat cover to remove it from the engine. Push the cover and the radiator hose that is connected to the cover off to the side so you can access the thermostat.
2Pull the old thermostat out of the engine by pulling up on it. Since the thermostat is not locked into place it can easily be lifted out. Discard the old thermostat.
3Plug the hole that the thermostat sat in with a shop towel to prevent getting any of the old gasket into the engine.
4Scrape the old gasket off of the intake manifold with a small metal scraper. When installed by Dodge, RTV gasket maker was used to promote a tight seal between the intake manifold and the thermostat cover. The old gasket must be removed before the new gasket can be made.
5Place a bead of RTV gasket maker on the machined surface of the intake manifold where the thermostat cover will sit. Allow 15 minutes for the RTV gasket maker to firm up.
6Place the new thermostat back into the intake. The correct end must stick out of the engine. It will be marked.
7Put the thermostat cover back onto the intake and bolt it into place. Do not over tighten the bolts. The cover is made from cast metal which is soft and if the bolts are over tightened the cover can crack. If this happens the cover must be replaced.
