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How to Replace the Thermostat on a 1996 Mercury Mystique

Like most parts on your 96 Mercury Mystique, the thermostat will eventually need to be replaced. Because of its location, and because it has coolant or water constantly running through it, the thermostat will rust or break down over time. Fortunately, the part was designed to be disposable. Once it has worn out, you can simply discard it and install a new one in its place.

Instructions

1

Use your ratchet and socket set to disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.

2

Follow the large radiator hose from the upper-right portion of your radiator to where it connects into the engine block. This is the water outlet. Your thermostat is located beneath the outlet.

3

Loosen the hose clamp on the small hose at the top of the water outlet, using your flat-head screwdriver. Pull the hose back and shove it out of the way to the side.

4

Place your small bucket under the large coolant hose. This is to catch any coolant that leaks out when you remove the hose.

5

Loosen and remove the hose clamp from the large hose, then pull the hose away from the water outlet. Some coolant will leak out at this point, so be prepared.

6

Use your ratchet and socket set to loosen and remove the three retaining bolts securing the water outlet to the engine block, then pull the outlet off of the engine to reveal the thermostat.

7

Remove the thermostat from the thermostat housing and discard.

8

Use your razor blade and scouring pad to clean off the thermostat housing and the bottom of the water outlet. The old thermostat gasket will likely have partially disintegrated and will need to be scoured off.

9

Apply a layer of gasket sealant to the newly-cleaned area around the thermostat housing, then place the new gasket into the sealant.

10

Place the new thermostat into the thermostat housing in the exact same position as the old one.

11

Replace the water outlet and secure it down with the three retaining bolts.

12

Replace the hoses and tighten down the hose clamps. Pour any coolant you collected back into the radiator and re-connect the battery cable.