🔧 Thermostat - Replacement

Your Stinger’s thermostat controls engine temperature by regulating coolant flow. If it’s stuck open, the engine runs too cool; if it’s stuck closed, it can overheat fast. This job requires coolant drainage, removal of the thermostat housing, and refilling/bleeding the cooling system carefully.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work only on a completely cold engine. Hot coolant can cause severe burns.
• Use a drain pan and dispose of coolant properly. Keep coolant away from pets and children.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable if you will work near wiring connectors or the cooling fan area.
• Do not open the coolant system hot. Pressure can release boiling coolant.
• Bleed air from the cooling system after refill. Air pockets can cause overheating.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Ratchet
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• Extensions
• Torque wrench
• Pliers
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Coolant drain pan
• Funnel
• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Jack and jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Thermostat - Qty: 1
• Thermostat housing gasket - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant - Qty: 1 service fill

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool completely before starting.
• Raise the front of the vehicle only if needed for access, and support it with jack stands.
• Have the new thermostat and gasket ready before draining coolant.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain the coolant

• Place a drain pan under the radiator.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver or pliers, depending on the drain fitting, to open the radiator drain and remove enough coolant to drop the level below the thermostat housing.
• Close the drain once the coolant level is low enough.

Step 2: Remove access components

• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to remove any engine cover or intake ducting blocking access to the thermostat housing.
• Move wiring clips or hoses aside carefully without stretching them.

Step 3: Disconnect the thermostat housing area

• Use pliers to release the hose clamp on the thermostat hose.
• Twist the hose gently to break it loose, then pull it off the housing.
• Catch any remaining coolant with a rag or drain pan.

Step 4: Remove the thermostat housing

• Use a 10mm socket with an extension to remove the thermostat housing bolts.
• Lift the housing off carefully.
• Remove the old thermostat and gasket.
• Keep track of bolt locations.

Step 5: Install the new thermostat

• Place the new thermostat in the same orientation as the old one.
• Install the new housing gasket.
• Set the housing in place and start the bolts by hand.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the housing bolts to 10 Nm (7.4 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Reconnect hoses and removed parts

• Push the coolant hose back onto the housing.
• Use pliers to reinstall the hose clamp in the correct position.
• Reinstall any intake parts or covers using the 10mm socket.

Step 7: Refill the cooling system

• Use a funnel to refill with the correct coolant.
• Fill slowly to reduce trapped air.
• Leave the reservoir cap off for initial bleeding if needed.

Step 8: Bleed air from the system

• Start the engine and let it idle with the heater set to hot.
• Watch the coolant level and top off as air escapes.
• Install the reservoir cap after the level stabilizes.
• Bring the engine up to operating temperature and check for leaks.

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✅ After Repair

• Confirm the heater blows hot air and the temperature gauge stays steady.
• Check the thermostat housing and hose connections for leaks after the test drive.
• Recheck coolant level when the engine is fully cool and top off if needed.
• Watch for warning lights or overheating on the first drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $305-$530 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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