Hi from a newbie and any cost advice?

[mikekost]

I have just purchased my third Explorer - a Black 2008 XLT with 34,000 miles on it. In between this new vehicle and my first two Explorers I flirted with a VW Touareg, but this relationship was just too costly to sustain (and the Touareg just doesn't haul that much).

I'm hoping that going back to an honest Ford will keep the maintenance bills in line. Having said that, after the first 1,000 miles the "check engine" came on, and as I bought the car from CarMax, I took it to them and the code shows as P0128. As many threads in the forums show, this may well require the thermostat replaced, even though it appears to be working fine. However, CarMax want $250 to change the thermostat. Sounds really expensive to me. Anyone know what a Ford dealership would charge by comparison?

 

[slammy]

just do it your self.. i dont no about your explorer but on a 92' its easy as hell.. i'd check into it though all it will cost you is the thermostat

 

[mikekost]

Thanks, I've looked under the hood and it looks really easy to me too. Just looks like three bolts. From reading the threads elsewhere in the forum, it seems that I may not even have to disconnect the hose and drain any of the coolant, just replace whatever I lose.

Think I'll give it a shot.

 

[slammy]

hay good luck man...let me no how it goes