Chevrolet 12514334 Thermostat, Engine Coolant

Remove any gasket or sealer with the thermostat from the cylinder head. Unbolt the water neck by draining the coolant system below the thermostat level when trying to replace it. The next step is to remove the water neck and thereby expose the thermostat. Thereafter, clean off all traces of remnants from both manifold and residual gasket material or sealer on water necks that mate. Installing it with its wax pellet downwards is a good idea. Besides, apply some sealant on both sides of the gasket then put it on block. Finally, hold it down using retainer bolts.

Remove any gasket or sealer with the thermostat from the cylinder head. Unbolt the water neck by draining the coolant system below the thermostat level when trying to replace it. The next step is to remove the water neck and thereby expose the thermostat. Thereafter, clean off all traces of remnants from both manifold and residual gasket material or sealer on water necks that mate. Installing it with its wax pellet downwards is a good idea. Besides, apply some sealant on both sides of the gasket then put it on block. Finally, hold it down using retainer bolts.

The thermostat is essentially a valve limiting the flow of coolant driven by a temperature sensitive element. It is placed in a housing on the engine, which opens and closes at fixed temperatures to the coolant warm up or cool down the engine. Disconnect the negative battery cable first to remove the thermostat for examination or replacement. Open the coolant drain valve located on the bottom right side of the radiator and allow coolant to drain into a suitable container. If your car has cruise control and has a 1981 or earlier L4 and all V6 models, take out the vacuum modulator mounting bracket on top of the thermostat housing. The bolts that hold down the water outlet are removed from their position at this point. The thermostat can now be seen and pulled off from its location on top of an engine block. At this point, we should note how it is positioned in its recess as it needs to go back exactly like that when replaced. Before installing it, there should be no traces of old gasket left on both sides of a cover plate and around an outlet pipe edge; therefore, one must apply some force with such tools as gasket scrapers or putty knives to clean these surfaces up without dropping any particles inside cooling system passages. A small bead of RTV or similar sealer should be applied around the sealing surface on the thermostat housing such that it goes into its recess and stays there after placing thermostats properly. Next, immediately position another new gasket together with water outlet over it before tightening screws/bolts until correct torque is reached. When appropriate reattach vacuum modulator bracket to thermostat housing; connect negative battery cable then fill radiator with proper mixture of antifreeze and water. After starting engine without cap on radiator until upper hose becomes hot; when it's hot enough; open it with pliers making sure that you won't damage rubber hoses nearby while twisting them counterclockwise till they're removed from its slot or pull them slightly to obtain better visibility then remove upper radiator hose clamp by squeezing it together until metal tabs are no longer inside it. At this point, more coolant may be injected if necessary so as to reach the filler neck's topmost level. The radiator cap is installed with arrows matched up with the overflow hose. Those L4 models that were manufactured from 1982 onwards have a redesigned thermostat/housing for ease of serviceability. Firstly, take off the thermostat housing cap in order to replace the thermostat. After this handle has been pulled out, the replacement is situated by replacing the thermostat into the housing and ensuring there is a seat before putting on the cap again.

It is not possible to test whether the thermostat works by opening the bonnet of the vehicle. Mostly, if you suspect that the thermostat is faulty, it is more cost effective to purchase a new one as they are not very expensive. To check remove first of all the thermostat. Look for excessive corrosion or damage on this device. Replace with a new one should either condition occur. Then put it in water 25 degrees hotter than that stamped on it. Since most Chevrolet V8 and V6 engines have thermostat at 195 degrees, the temperature of water will be just about 220 degrees Fahrenheit. In this water that must be well stirred, then submerged, its valve should open entirely. Remove it by using a piece of bent wire and then put it in water which is 10 degrees less than the figure indicated on its body. In most cases cooler water temperature should read about 185 degrees Farenheit. At this temperature, fully close thy valve on thy thermostat. Reinstall if satisfactory or buy another like-temped one for the purpose of installing.

Engine coolant flow is controlled by the thermostat. In order to take it off, turn off the negative battery terminal and remove the air filter. Coolant should be drained and then upper radiator hose disconnected. The thermostat housing bolts can now be removed as well as the housing from the engine. Remember where the thermostat is located before removing it. It's important to clean gasket surfaces and apply sealing compound before installing new thermostat. After that, reassemble the housing, connect radiator hose and fill in coolant. Start the engine and add more coolant if necessary. Finally, put on the radiator cap.

To test the thermostat's operation, it should be removed from the engine. If one doubts about the thermostat, then it is most likely that it is cheaper to purchase a new one since they are not expensive. Before you can start testing, remove the thermostat. Examine if there is excessive corrosion or damage on the thermostat. Replace with a new thermostat if either of these conditions exists. Place in hot water 25 degrees above the temperature stamped on the thermostat. For example, since almost all Chevrolet V8 and V6 engines use 195-degree thermostats, the water temperature will be around 220. The valve must be completely open when submerged in this hot water which has been stirred vigorously. After that, unbend a piece of wire and draw out its thermostat before immersing it into water that is 10 degrees below what appears on its body. In most cases this cooler water temperature should be 185 degrees. This means that at this particular temperature, the valve should close fully. Reinstall if OK or purchase a new thermo-stat of equal rating to install your thermo-stat in case it checks out OK.

To replace the thermostat, undo the water outlet housing as well as the thermostat, and clean the gasket sealing surfaces. Reconnect the radiator hose, and refill the cooling system with an antifreeze/water mix. Finally, reattach the battery cable, start the engine, and add coolant until the radiator is filled, then seal with the cap.

The thermostat is essentially a valve limiting the flow of coolant driven by a temperature sensitive element. It is placed in a housing on the engine, which opens and closes at fixed temperatures to the coolant warm up or cool down the engine. Disconnect the negative battery cable first to remove the thermostat for examination or replacement. Open the coolant drain valve located on the bottom right side of the radiator and allow coolant to drain into a suitable container. If your car has cruise control and has a 1981 or earlier L4 and all V6 models, take out the vacuum modulator mounting bracket on top of the thermostat housing. The bolts that hold down the water outlet are removed from their position at this point. The thermostat can now be seen and pulled off from its location on top of an engine block. At this point, we should note how it is positioned in its recess as it needs to go back exactly like that when replaced. Before installing it, there should be no traces of old gasket left on both sides of a cover plate and around an outlet pipe edge; therefore, one must apply some force with such tools as gasket scrapers or putty knives to clean these surfaces up without dropping any particles inside cooling system passages. A small bead of RTV or similar sealer should be applied around the sealing surface on the thermostat housing such that it goes into its recess and stays there after placing thermostats properly. Next, immediately position another new gasket together with water outlet over it before tightening screws/bolts until correct torque is reached. When appropriate reattach vacuum modulator bracket to thermostat housing; connect negative battery cable then fill radiator with proper mixture of antifreeze and water. After starting engine without cap on radiator until upper hose becomes hot; when it's hot enough; open it with pliers making sure that you won't damage rubber hoses nearby while twisting them counterclockwise till they're removed from its slot or pull them slightly to obtain better visibility then remove upper radiator hose clamp by squeezing it together until metal tabs are no longer inside it. At this point, more coolant may be injected if necessary so as to reach the filler neck's topmost level. The radiator cap is installed with arrows matched up with the overflow hose. Those L4 models that were manufactured from 1982 onwards have a redesigned thermostat/housing for ease of serviceability. Firstly, take off the thermostat housing cap in order to replace the thermostat. After this handle has been pulled out, the replacement is situated by replacing the thermostat into the housing and ensuring there is a seat before putting on the cap again.

Testing the thermostat in a far more convenient way can only be possible after it has been removed from the engine. In most cases, if one suspects a problem with the thermostat, then replacing it is less costly as they are not expensive. First remove the thermostat to test it. Check whether there is much rust or corrosion on the thermostat. If either of these conditions exists, install a new thermostat. Put the thermostat into water that's heated 25 degrees above its temperature marking. The water should be at around 220 degreesF (104 degreesC). When immersed in well-agitated water of this type, its valve will remain fully open. Then take out the latter by means of a wire bent and put again into water that is 10 degrees below its mark or about 185 degrees F (85 C). At this temperature, the thermostat valve ought to close completely. Replace it if it's good; otherwise buy another one with a similar temperature rating as before.

The thermostat is a valve in the engine that controls coolant temperature. To replace or test it, disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the air cleaner. Drain the coolant, but not from the engine. Disconnect the upper radiator hose and the smaller by-pass hose from the thermostat housing. Remove the housing bolts and lift the housing to reveal the thermostat. If there's a TVS switch, disconnect the vacuum hoses and unscrew the switch. Note the thermostat's position before removing it. Clean the old gasket from the housing and engine, then apply a bead of sealer around the engine's sealing surface. Place the thermostat and housing back, tighten the bolts, and reinstall the TVS switch and hoses. Reconnect the battery cable, refill the radiator with antifreeze and water, and run the engine until the upper radiator hose is hot, indicating the thermostat is open. Top up coolant if needed, then replace the radiator cap.

After installing the new thermostat, reattach the radiator hose to the cover fitting and tighten the hose clamp.

Begin by draining about three quarts of coolant from the radiator until the level is below the thermostat housing.

Before installing the thermostat back into its recess, you should apply RTV or equivalent sealer to the gasket surfaces.

Check the coolant level in the system. Verify the drivebelt tension is correct. Observe the temperature gauge or light operation. If the engine takes a long time to warm up, it may indicate a thermostat stuck open and needs replacement. If the engine runs hot, and the upper radiator hose isn't hot, it suggests a thermostat stuck shut and should be replaced. If the upper radiator hose is hot, it indicates that the coolant is circulating and the thermostat is open.

Remove the air cleaner and label all hoses for ease of reinstallation.

If the thermostat shows excessive corrosion or damage, it should be replaced with a new one.