Thermostat Replacement

[micklskot]

I have a 94 Explorer XLT 4x4 and need some advice about the best way to remove the thermostat housing. I'd really like to avoid paying someone else to do this for me, and it's a good learning experience for me. My problem I believe is the right kind of tools to do the job, and knowing what needs to be removed to effectively remove the bolts. The bolt on the bottom seems to be the most difficult to get to but I have very little room with the current tools I'm using. What are the best tools to efficiently and with very little pain remove the thermostat housing? I already have the air cleaner air duct and serpintine belt removed. Is there anything else I should remove? Anything I should focus on when installing the replacement thermostat?

Thanks for the info.

Mike

 

[wood1]

Hey Mike sounds like you are just starting out doing your own work, the best bet is to get yourself a good maintenance manual. I have bought both Haynes and Chilton and they are both good IMO.

 

[Maniak]

You don't get alot of room even with the right tools...

Its three 8mm bolts that hold the housing on.. Sometimes pulling the serpentine belt helps.. I think last time I removed the belt and the entire tensioner..

As for the 8mm bolts.. you need a socket extension and if possible a wobble (u-joint).. the wobble/u-joint may make it easier to pull those bolts..

Oh yea, when putting them back on.. put a tiny bit of rtv on the back of the bolt so it stays in the socket as you try to reinstall the bolts.. w/out that its a pain in the rear..

~Mark

 

[Masterd]

When I did it, I remove the whole intake tube, and that fan belt.

Other than that you just have to really get in there. One of the bolts seems impossible, but you can get it with time.

 

[micklskot]

Guys,

Thanks for the information and encouragement. Yeah, when I was looking at the amount of space, I was thinking how am I going to get those off. I found this information also looking through the forrum.
Thanks again for taking time to respond. I'll let you know how it goes.....

Mike

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/web/pages/thermostat.html

 

[Bwana Bob]

Yes, a U-joint on the socket wrench wiil help, if you can squeeze it in there. I use an 8 mm open-end wrench and just patiently move it a few degrees at a time. It tedious.

Bob

 

[yellowcat]

my experience same as maniaks

go ahead and pull the belt and tensioner then it is a straight short. As I remember it was a 15 mm bolt to take the slack off the belt, then the tensioner is fairly easy to get off. either draw a picture of how the belt is routed, or find the picture (sticker) under the hood. but no need to take the belt completly off. I would also consider doing a flush of the anti freeze, and make sure to buy a quility therostat. I have had problem with the autozone ones. If your near las cruces new mexico, give me a shout I ll show you what to do.

 

[Maniak]

As I remember it was a 15 mm bolt to take the slack off the belt, then the tensioner is fairly easy to get off.

My old tensioner was a 15mm center bolt (the one you grab to rotate the tensioner).. The replacement one had a 9/16 bolt on it.. Just a heads up.. you might run into the same issue..

~Mark

 

[Willard]

My tensioner has a 3/8 in. square hole in it made for a ratchet or breaker bar to pull the slack off.

 

[Maniak]

My tensioner has a 3/8 in. square hole in it made for a ratchet or breaker bar to pull the slack off.

I wish mine had that...

~Mark

 

[micklskot]

Yellowcat, thanks for the offer. Since I'm here in Cruces, I'll let you know whether or not I run into problems. Everyone has given me some good ideas about what to do, and I appreciate it. I think it's mainly take your time and be patient with it. Again, thanks for the ideas.....I'll try and resume it tomorrow and let you all know how it turns out.

 

[micklskot]

Finished replacing the T-stat and adding coolant and my Explorer is running cool now. Thanks for the help.

Mike