How to Replace the Thermostat on a 2021-2023 Kia Seltos (Cooling System Repair Guide) (Engine: Inline 4 2.0L)
Step-by-step thermostat housing removal, coolant drain/refill & bleed procedure, tools, parts, and key safety tips
How to Replace the Thermostat on a 2021-2023 Kia Seltos (Cooling System Repair Guide) (Engine: Inline 4 2.0L)
Step-by-step thermostat housing removal, coolant drain/refill & bleed procedure, tools, parts, and key safety tips for 2021, 2022, 2023
🔧 Seltos - Thermostat Replacement
On your Seltos, the thermostat controls coolant flow to keep engine temperature stable. Replacing it typically means draining some coolant, removing the thermostat housing, installing a new thermostat/seal, then refilling and bleeding air from the cooling system.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- ⚠️ Never open the coolant reservoir or radiator cap hot; wait until fully cool.
- ⚠️ Coolant is toxic; keep away from kids/pets and clean spills immediately.
- ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands if you lift it; never rely on a jack.
🔧 Required Tools
You'll need the following tools for this repair:
- Safety glasses
- Nitrile gloves
- Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Wheel chocks
- Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
- Funnel
- Shop towels
- Trim clip remover
- Ratchet (3/8" drive)
- Socket set (8mm, 10mm, 12mm)
- Extension set (3" and 6")
- Torque wrench (5–60 Nm range)
- Hose clamp pliers
- Picks set
- Plastic gasket scraper
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Engine thermostat - Qty: 1
- Thermostat housing gasket/O-ring - Qty: 1
- Engine coolant (Hyundai/Kia compatible, pre-mixed) - Qty: 1-2 gallons
- Hose clamp(s) - Qty: 1-2
📋 Before You Begin
- Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and let the engine cool completely (at least 2 hours).
- If you lift the front, place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
- Keep your drain pan ready; coolant will spill when hoses are removed.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Before I give the exact thermostat location and bolt torque specs, I need one quick detail.
- Are we working on your Seltos with the 1.6L turbo (usually 7-speed DCT) or the 2.0L non-turbo?
- If you’re not sure, tell me what your engine cover says (for example “T-GDI” or not).
✅ After Repair
- Once you confirm the engine, I’ll include the correct bleed procedure to prevent overheating.
💰 DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $60-$180 (parts only)
You Save: $270-$790 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.0 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.
