Wednesday, September 14, 2011

How to change a thermostat on a 2.2 acura 1997?

Follow the top radiator hose back to the engine. It connects to a fitting that bolts on to the engine with two or three bolts.



Don't unbolt it until you have purchased a new thermostat and have a new gasket.



Now unbolt those three bolts and tug the thing off of the engine. The thermostat is right there and is easily removed.



Be sure the mating surfaces of the housing and the head are smooth. After using a putty knife to remove the old gasket, carefully use a fine file to make the surface smooth. If you can't get a file onto the head surface, just do your best. If it is not as smooth as you'd like, use red silicone when putting the thing back together. Don't glob it on! If it pooches out and breaks off into the cooling gallery it has been known to cause blockages that can result in localized overheating. A very thin film on a mating surface is all that's needed.



Place the thermostat in the recess, put the gasket in place (with or without silicone) and put the housing back in place, insert and snug up the two or three bolts finger tight. Now use a wrench to get them moderately snug. If you overtighten the bolts you can easily snap off an ear from the housing. It's only aluminum, not titanium.



If you'd like you can test your old thermostat by putting it in a pan with some hot water. Turn on the heat and watch the thermostat. It should open before the water boils. If it does, you replaced a good thermostat. If it doesn't open, you just fixed the problem.



I always drill two 1/8 inch holes in the surface of a thermostat for a couple reasons. The first reason is that it makes it easier to fill the radiator. The second reason is that the warm water from the engine will get to it quicker if a little water is already flowing through it. The third reason is that when it goes bad you'll have at least a little water flowing so you can at least drive at low speads until you can replace it.



If you want the best coolant in the world, buy it at the Mercedes Benz dealer. All coolants have a lubricant in them to lubricate the water pump bushing. Most brands use silicone suspended in solution (silicone is a solid). As the silicone precipitates out of solution it clogs your radiator and stops lubricating your water pump. MB coolant has a liquid lubricant that never precipitates out of solution . . . problem solved. Just FYI.How to change a thermostat on a 2.2 acura 1997?You sure it's bad. Lot's of thermostats changed for no reason. If your car is running hot take it to a RADIATOR SHOP and have it checked, save you a lot of time and maybe money. NEVER replace any part till you know the problem.How to change a thermostat on a 2.2 acura 1997?If you need 2 ask then dont attempt it - you could f it up by using wrong sealer or something