Any internal combustion engine operates most efficiently when warm. To reduce the amount of time it takes for the engine to reach its optimal temperature, the 1988 Ford Mustang was equipped with a single thermostat. When the engine is started when cold, the thermostat prevents the coolant within the engine from reaching the radiator. As a result, coolant is also prevented from circulating throughout the engine. Once the engine is warm, the thermostat opens and the radiator reduces the temperature of the coolant. A defective thermostat is most often stuck in the closed position, which results in engine overheating.
Instructions
- 1
Open the drain cock at the base of the radiator with a wrench to lower the coolant level past the thermostat's outlet elbow. The upper radiator hose connects to the outlet elbow on the top of the engine.
2Remove the two bolts which secure the thermostat's outlet elbow to the engine with a socket wrench, then pull the elbow off the engine to reveal the thermostat.
3Pull the thermostat out of the engine.
4Pull the old thermostat gasket off the engine. The gasket surrounds the position of the thermostat on the engine.
5Coat a new thermostat gasket with water-resistant sealer.
6Position the thermostat within the engine.
7Position the thermostat gasket over the thermostat.
8Press the thermostat's outlet elbow over the thermostat.
9Install the outlet elbow's two bolts with a socket wrench.
10Refill the radiator with a mixture consisting of equal parts of water and coolant.
