Oldsmobile 12514334 Thermostat,Engine Coolant

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Remove the thermostat from the cylinder head and any gasket or sealer. To replace the thermostat, drain the cooling system below the level of the thermostat, and remove the two bolts holding the water neck in place. After removing the water neck, lift out the thermostat. Clean the mating surfaces of both the intake manifold and the water neck of residual gasket material or sealer. Install the thermostat with the wax pellet downward. Coat both sides of the gasket with sealer and install it on the block. Secure in place using the retainer bolts.

The gasket should be secured in place using the retainer bolts.

After removing the thermostat, inspect it for excessive corrosion or damage.

Before installation, use a gasket scraper or putty knife to carefully remove all traces of the old gasket on the thermostat housing and the water outlet cover. Make sure not to allow any gasket particles to drop down into the water passage.

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

To reassemble the thermostat housing, you need to reconnect the radiator hose and refill the coolant. Then, start the engine and add more coolant if needed. Finally, install the radiator cap.

If the thermostat checks out OK, it should be reinstalled.

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

The only way to test the operation of the thermostat is with the unit removed from the engine. In most cases if the thermostat is suspect it is more economical to merely buy a replacement thermostat as they are not very costly. To test, first remove the thermostat. Inspect the thermostat for excessive corrosion or damage. Replace the thermostat with a new one if either of these conditions is found. Place the thermostat in hot water 25 degrees above the temperature stamped on the thermostat. Since nearly all Chevrolet V8 and V6 engines use a 195-degree thermostat, the water temperature will be approximately 220. When submerged in this water, which should be agitated thoroughly, the valve should be fully open. Now remove the thermostat using a piece of bent wire and place it in water which is 10 degrees below the temperature on the thermostat. In most cases this cooler water temperature should be 185 degrees. At this temperature the thermostat valve should close fully. Reinstall the thermostat if it checks out OK, or purchase a new thermostat of the same temperature rating for installing the thermostat.

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.

The only way to test the operation of the thermostat is with the unit removed from the engine. In most cases, if the thermostat is suspect, it is more economical to merely buy a replacement thermostat as they are not very costly. To test, first remove the thermostat and inspect it for excessive corrosion or damage. Replace the thermostat with a new one if either of these conditions is found. Place the thermostat in hot water 25 degrees above the temperature stamped on the thermostat. Since nearly all GM V8 and V6 engines use a 195-degree thermostat, the water temperature will be approximately 220. When submerged in this water, which should be agitated thoroughly, the valve should be fully open. Now remove the thermostat using a piece of bent wire and place it in water which is 10 degrees below the temperature on the thermostat. In most cases, this cooler water temperature should be 185 degrees. At this temperature, the thermostat valve should close fully. Reinstall the thermostat if it checks out OK, or purchase a new thermostat of the same temperature rating for installing the thermostat.

The thermostat is designed to open and close at predetermined temperatures to allow coolant to warm up or cool the engine.

For 1982 and later L4 models, the thermostat and housing have been redesigned for simpler servicing. To replace the thermostat, first remove the thermostat housing cap. Then, grasp the thermostat handle and pull it out. Replacement is completed by pushing the thermostat into the housing, making sure it is seated, and installing the cap.

When placed in water at a lower temperature, the thermostat valve should close fully.

For a four-cylinder engine, start by disconnecting the negative battery cable, draining the cooling system below the thermostat level, and removing the upper radiator hose from the water outlet housing. Next, detach the housing from the engine by taking out its two bolts and then remove the thermostat from the housing. Clean the gasket sealing surfaces on both the water outlet and thermostat housing before installing the new thermostat. Place it in the housing along with a fresh gasket, reattach the water outlet, and tighten the bolts to the specified torque. Reconnect the upper radiator hose and fill the cooling system with the appropriate antifreeze/water mixture. Finally, reattach the battery cable, start the engine, and add coolant as needed until the radiator is filled to the bottom of the filler neck, before sealing it with the radiator cap.

After lifting the thermostat housing from the engine, the thermostat will be visible and can be removed from the engine.

If the thermostat does not check out OK, purchase a new thermostat of the same temperature rating.