How hard is a thermostat change?

[MemphisEdge]

My wife's '07 Explorer 4.0 is showing error code P0128. It looks like it is either the thermostat or hte temperature sensor mounted just behind it. My question is this:

I know the thermostat is in a 3-bolt plastic housing between the intake and the upper hose. Can I let the car sit overnight so the system has no pressure and simply take off the 3 bolts to access the thermostat? I really don't want to drain the whole system and looking for ways to make this easier.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Bill MacLeod]

I find it easier to just drain the rad down a half bucket, remove upper hose, then remove thermostat housing. Can you access the housing without removing the upper intake?

 

[ExpBen06]

Thats what I did, drained the coolant a little, disconnected upper hose from the radiator end, and swapped out the thermostat. Yes, it's accessible without removing anything else. Three quick bolts, and 28 ft-lbs of torque going back on, I think.