The thermostat is a component responsible for regulating the engine temperature. Without a properly functioning thermostat, the engine will overheat, and the heater will blow out cold air. Thankfully, changing the thermostat is a simple process that will take you less than a half hour to complete; doing the job yourself will save you the costs of taking your truck to a mechanic. Just a couple of wrenches and a new thermostat will have your truck blowing hot air soon.
Instructions
- 1
Drain the coolant into a container until the coolant level dips below the thermostat level.
2Follow the upper radiator hose to the engine to locate the thermostat housing.
3Loosen the clamp on the radiator hose, using the fat-head screwdriver, and pull the hose off the thermostat housing.
4Remove the bolts that hold the thermostat housing to the engine, using the proper size wrench.
5Clean the old gasket material from the thermostat housing and the engine.
6Insert the new thermostat into the engine, with the spring going into the engine.
7Place the new gasket and the thermostat housing onto the engine and tighten the bolts, using the proper size wrench.
8Replace the radiator hose and tighten the clamp, using the flat-head screwdriver. Do not over-tighten.
9Replace the coolant that was drained from the engine.
10Start the engine and check for any leaks around the work area.