How to Replace the Thermostat on a 2013-2018 Ram 1500 (Engine: V6 3.6L)
Step-by-step instructions with tools, parts, torque specs, and cooling system bleed tips
How to Replace the Thermostat on a 2013-2018 Ram 1500 (Engine: V6 3.6L)
Step-by-step instructions with tools, parts, torque specs, and cooling system bleed tips for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
🔧 Thermostat - Replacement
Your thermostat controls coolant flow so the engine can warm up and stay at the right temperature. On your Ram, this job involves draining coolant, removing the thermostat housing, replacing the thermostat and seal, then refilling and bleeding the cooling system.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- Let the engine cool completely before opening the cooling system. Hot coolant can cause severe burns.
- Use jack stands if you raise the truck. Never rely on a jack alone.
- Keep coolant off belts, pulleys, and electrical connectors.
- Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.
- Use the correct coolant for your Ram and do not mix coolant types.
🔧 Required Tools
You'll need the following tools for this repair:
- 10mm socket
- 13mm socket
- 1/4-inch ratchet
- 3/8-inch ratchet
- 1/4-inch extension
- Drain pan
- Flat-blade screwdriver
- Pliers
- Torque wrench
- Funnel
- Safety glasses
- Nitrile gloves
- Jack stands
- Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Shop rags
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Thermostat - Qty: 1
- Thermostat housing seal or gasket - Qty: 1
- Engine coolant - Qty: 1 refill set
- Distilled water - Qty: 1 refill set
📋 Before You Begin
- Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
- Let the engine cool fully before starting.
- Raise the front of the truck only if needed for access.
- Have a clean drain pan ready before opening the cooling system.
- Keep the new seal clean.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Drain enough coolant
- Place the drain pan under the radiator drain area.
- Open the radiator drain or remove the lower hose carefully, using pliers or a flat-blade screwdriver if a clamp is used.
- Drain enough coolant so the level drops below the thermostat housing.
- Close the drain once the flow stops.
Step 2: Remove intake or access parts
- Remove any intake ducting or covers blocking access, using the 10mm socket and 1/4-inch ratchet.
- Set fasteners aside in order so they go back in the right place.
- Take a quick photo before disassembly.
Step 3: Disconnect hoses from the thermostat housing
- Use pliers to move the spring clamps, or a flat-blade screwdriver if clamp style allows.
- Twist the hoses gently to break them free, then pull them off the housing.
- Use shop rags to catch any coolant spill.
Step 4: Remove the thermostat housing
- Remove the housing bolts using the 13mm socket and 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch ratchet, depending on access.
- Lift the housing off carefully.
- Note the thermostat and seal orientation before removing them.
- Torque on installation: 10 N·m (89 in-lbs)
Step 5: Replace the thermostat and seal
- Remove the old thermostat and seal from the housing.
- Clean the sealing surface with a clean rag. Do not scratch it.
- Install the new thermostat in the same direction as the old one.
- Install the new thermostat housing seal or gasket.
- Do not use extra sealant unless specified.
Step 6: Reinstall the housing
- Set the housing in place by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
- Install the bolts using the 13mm socket.
- Tighten evenly, then torque to 10 N·m (89 in-lbs).
Step 7: Reconnect hoses and reassemble
- Push the hoses back onto the housing until fully seated.
- Move the clamps back into position using pliers.
- Reinstall any intake parts or covers with the 10mm socket.
Step 8: Refill and bleed the cooling system
- Use a funnel to refill the cooling system with the correct coolant mix.
- Fill slowly to reduce air pockets.
- Start the engine and let it idle with the radiator cap off if applicable.
- Turn the heater to full hot and monitor coolant level.
- Top off as the air escapes and the level drops.
Step 9: Warm up and check for leaks
- Let the engine reach normal operating temperature.
- Check the housing, hoses, and drain point for leaks.
- Reinstall the cap when the coolant level stabilizes.
- Verify the temperature gauge rises normally and stays steady.
✅ After Repair
- Recheck coolant level after the first drive and again when the engine is cold.
- Look for puddles or dried coolant residue around the thermostat housing.
- Confirm the heater blows hot air and the engine does not overheat.
- If the temperature stays erratic, the system may still have air trapped in it.
💰 DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $45-$110 (parts only)
You Save: $205-$340 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.
🎯 Ready to get started?
HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.
🔧 Thermostat - Replacement
Your thermostat controls coolant flow so the engine can warm up properly and stay at the correct operating temperature. On your Ram, this job means draining some coolant, removing the thermostat housing, swapping the thermostat and seal, then refilling and bleeding the cooling system.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- Let the engine cool completely before opening the cooling system. Hot coolant can spray out and cause burns.
- Keep coolant away from belts, pulleys, and electrical connectors.
- If you raise the truck, support it with jack stands. Never work under a truck supported only by a jack.
- Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.
- Use the correct coolant type for your Ram and do not mix coolant brands or formulas.
🔧 Required Tools
You'll need the following tools for this repair:
- 10mm socket
- 13mm socket
- 1/4-inch ratchet
- 3/8-inch ratchet
- 1/4-inch extension
- Drain pan
- Flat-blade screwdriver
- Pliers
- Torque wrench
- Funnel
- Safety glasses
- Nitrile gloves
- Jack stands
- Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Shop rags
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Thermostat - Qty: 1
- Thermostat housing seal or gasket - Qty: 1
- Engine coolant - Qty: 1 refill set
- Distilled water - Qty: 1 refill set
📋 Before You Begin
- Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
- Let the engine cool fully before starting.
- Have the drain pan ready before opening any coolant connection.
- If needed for access, raise the front of the truck and support it with jack stands.
- Take a picture before removing hoses.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Drain enough coolant
- Place the drain pan under the radiator drain area.
- Open the radiator drain or remove the lower hose carefully using pliers or a flat-blade screwdriver if a clamp is used.
- Drain enough coolant so the level drops below the thermostat housing.
- Close the drain once the flow stops.
Step 2: Remove access parts
- Remove any intake ducting or engine covers blocking access using the 10mm socket and 1/4-inch ratchet.
- Keep the fasteners in order so reassembly is easier.
- Lay parts out in the removal order.
Step 3: Disconnect hoses from the thermostat housing
- Use pliers to slide spring clamps back, or use a flat-blade screwdriver if equipped with screw-type clamps.
- Twist the hoses gently, then pull them off the housing.
- Use shop rags to catch any coolant that spills out.
Step 4: Remove the thermostat housing
- Remove the housing bolts using the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet.
- If space is tight, use the 1/4-inch extension with the 1/4-inch ratchet.
- Lift the housing off carefully.
- Torque on installation: 10 N·m (89 in-lbs)
Step 5: Replace the thermostat and seal
- Remove the old thermostat from the housing.
- Remove the old seal or gasket.
- Clean the sealing surface with a clean rag. Do not scratch it.
- Install the new thermostat in the same orientation as the old one.
- Install the new thermostat housing seal or gasket.
- Do not use extra sealant unless specified.
Step 6: Reinstall the thermostat housing
- Set the housing in place by hand first so the bolts do not cross-thread.
- Install the bolts using the 13mm socket.
- Tighten the bolts evenly.
- Torque to 10 N·m (89 in-lbs)
Step 7: Reconnect hoses and reinstall removed parts
- Push the hoses fully back onto the housing.
- Move the clamps back into position using pliers.
- Reinstall any intake parts or covers using the 10mm socket.
Step 8: Refill and bleed the cooling system
- Use a funnel to refill the system with the correct coolant mix.
- Fill slowly to help reduce trapped air.
- Start the engine and let it idle.
- Set the heater to full hot.
- Top off coolant as the level drops while air escapes.
Step 9: Warm up and check for leaks
- Let the engine reach normal operating temperature.
- Check the thermostat housing, hose connections, and drain point for leaks.
- Reinstall the radiator cap once the coolant level stabilizes.
- Verify the temperature gauge rises normally and stays steady.
✅ After Repair
- Recheck the coolant level after the first drive and again when the engine is cold.
- Look for dried coolant or fresh leaks around the thermostat housing.
- Confirm the heater blows hot air and the engine temperature stays normal.
- If the temperature still swings up and down, air may still be trapped in the system.
💰 DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $45-$110 (parts only)
You Save: $205-$340 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.
🎯 Ready to get started?
HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.
Guide for Engine Coolant Thermostat Housing Gasket replace for these Ram vehicles
| Year Make Model | Sub Model | Engine | Body Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ram 1500 | - | V8 5.7L | - |
| 2018 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2018 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.0L | - |
| 2017 Ram 1500 | - | V8 5.7L | - |
| 2017 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2017 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.0L | - |
| 2016 Ram 1500 | - | V8 5.7L | - |
| 2016 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2016 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.0L | - |
| 2015 Ram 1500 | - | V8 5.7L | - |
| 2015 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2015 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.0L | - |
| 2014 Ram 1500 | - | V8 5.7L | - |
| 2014 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2014 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.0L | - |
| 2013 Ram 1500 | - | V8 5.7L | - |
| 2013 Ram 1500 | - | V6 3.6L | - |
| 2013 Ram 1500 | - | V8 4.7L | - |
