[bobbob160]

I got the --- on the display on Friday. As usual, the experts here diagnose it as a thermostat on it's way out.

I reset the trouble-code and it seemed fine for the weekend. I had Monday off and the local Advance Auto had the thermostat in stock, so figured I would change it regardless.

Very easy task, just time consuming removing the windshield trim panel and locating/accessing the water pump drain screw.

Total time < 1hr.

One issue though. When refilling, I disconnected the line on the valve cover expecting air to escape while I filled the overflow. That didn't happen. I put a hose on the nipple and applied a vacuum to it and all went as planned from there.

 

[rob the elder]

Good job.

Did it cure the problem?

 

[TX08manualGXP]

when I did the one on my 06, I did it without removing the windshield trim panal. real hard to see that rear bolt and I could not remove the hose from the waterneck but all went well. did you burp the system too? I did the compressed air technique and it worked perfectly. Also, could you see where the old t-stat had the bad gasket? Mine was pretty tore up.

 

[bobbob160]

Yes, I have been keeping an eye on the temperature, and all seems well.

I thought leaving the hose off the nipple on the valve cover was burping the system (in my case, applying a vacuum there). Did have to top off the overflow a bit after a short drive.

I was thinking about doing it without taking off the panel, but the panel seems easy to remove and the bolts almost impossible without, so I took the easy way.

As for the thermostat, the outer rubber was fine, but the inner seal, where it opens and closes, was all out of whack, wrinkled up in some places like it was trying to come off the metal.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

if you used your mighty vac to get the air out then you should be fine. if not, the light will come back on.
the way I did it was I removed the return line from the tank and stuck the hose into an empty water bottle. then with the radiator cap on, I shot air into the tank and watched the coolant run into the bottle. it took a few times and the system ended up being about a quart low. once the bubbles were gone, I re-connected the hose and it was a done deal. way easier than removing the tank and holding it up.

 

[bobbob160]

I thought about that, thinking "how did the factory do it?". I guess they pressure-fed the coolant from the tank until it popped out the other side.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

That I don't know. I had searched burping the system and this seemed the easiest since you only had to remove the clamp and hose.