2.2L Engine
Fig. 1: The thermostat is located in the lower radiator hose on the 2.2L engine
Fig. 2: Remove the two retaining bolts for on the housing
Fig. 3: Separate the housing halves to access the thermostat
Fig. 4: Pull the thermostat out to remove it from the housing
Fig. 5: The thermostat has an O-ring which goes around the center
Fig. 6: Thoroughly clean the mating surfaces of the thermostat housing
- Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Properly drain and recover the coolant until the level is below the thermostat.
- Unfasten the coolant outlet-to-inlet manifold attaching bolt and nut, then remove the outlet.
- Remove the thermostat. Clean the inlet manifold and outlet mating surfaces.
To install:
- Install a new O-ring onto the thermostat
- Place the thermostat in the inlet manifold.
- Attach the coolant outlet to the inlet manifold, using the bolt and nut. Tighten to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm).
- Refill the engine cooling system.
- Connect the negative battery cable, then start the engine and check for coolant leaks.
2.3L and 2.4L Engines
- Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Properly drain and recover the coolant to a level below the thermostat.
- Unfasten the cover-to-outlet pipe bolt, which is accessible through the exhaust manifold runners.
- Raise and safely support the vehicle.
- Disconnect the radiator and heater hoses from the outlet pipe.
- Unfasten the outlet pipe-to-oil pan bolt and the cover-to-outlet pipe bolts.
- Remove the thermostat, then clean the old gasket material from the mating surfaces.
Fig. 7: Thermostat removal and installation-2.3L and 2.4L engines
To install:
- Position the thermostat in ite correct location, then install the cover-to-outlet pipe bolt. Tighten the bolt to 10 ft. lbs. (14 Nm).
- Install the outlet pipe-to-oil pan bolt. Tighten the pipe-to-oil pan bolt to 19 ft. lbs. (26 Nm) and the pipe-to-transaxle bolt to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm).
- Connect the radiator and heater hoses to the outlet pipe.
- Carefully lower the vehicle.
- Install the cover-to-outlet pipe bolt through the exhaust manifold runner.
- Properly fill the cooling system, then connect the negative battery cable.