Fix It

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Remove the thermostat from the thermostat housing and discard.

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.

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

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

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

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

Place a recycling container under the radiator drain plug to capture the antifreeze. Remove the drain fill cap by hand to relieve the pressure. Loosen the drain plug to release a small amount of antifreeze from the radiator. Take out only enough to clear out the upper radiator hose that attaches to the thermostat.

Disconnect the upper radiator hose using a flat-head screwdriver where it connects to the thermostat cover by loosening the screw-tight hose clamp. The opposite end that connects to the radiator can remain attached during the replacement repair. Move it aside and wedge it in the radiator fan area to allow for better clearance to the thermostat.

Remove the two mounting bolts on either side of the thermostat housing cover using a socket wrench. Take off the housing cover and break the seal using the screwdriver. Carefully lift out the old thermostat.

Stuff a small towel or sock into the housing opening to prevent debris from entering the engine. Scrape off the old gasket using a razor or paint scraper.

Remove the sock and apply a small amount of gasket adhesive to the new gasket place it directly onto the thermostat opening. Be sure that the bolt holes are aligned so that the gasket and new thermostat will seat properly. Insert the new thermostat with the spring side down (into the engine).

Put the thermostat housing on and secure in place with the mounting bolts, and tighten them using the socket wrench. Attach the radiator hose and secure it in place with the screw-tight hose clamp.

Replace the removed antifreeze with a 45/55 mixture of new antifreeze and water. Pour it directly into the radiator, filling it to the top, and then replace the radiator cap.

Start the engine, allow it to run for several minutes then turn the engine off. Re-check the antifreeze level and add more as necessary to top it off.

Drain approximately 2 gallons of radiator fluid from the petcock located on the bottom of the radiator into a clean drain pan. Use a pair of pliers to open the petcock if you cannot open it by hand.

Follow the upper radiator hose to the thermostat housing located on the engine. Remove the hose clamp with a pair of pliers and pull the hose off the engine.

Remove the bolts that secure the housing to the engine with a socket and ratchet. Use the ratchet extension bar supplied with your socket set to avoid hitting any accessories located around the thermostat housing.

Remove the thermostat housing and housing gasket off the engine. Pull the old thermostat out of the engine.

Clean the surface of the engine and the bottom of the thermostat housing with a clean towel. Use a wire brush if you cannot get the old gasket material off the surfaces.

Place the new thermostat into the engine with the large spring submerged into the engine.

Place the gasket over the thermostat and then bolt the thermostat housing back onto the engine.

Place the hose back onto the thermostat and secure it with a hose clamp.

Pour the 2 gallons of fluid into the radiator filler cap located on the top of the radiator.