Never work on your vehicle while it’s running since you could get injured. Try leaving the hood open to help your engine cool off faster.

Never open the radiator cap if your engine is still hot. The radiator may have built-up pressure, which could spray hot coolant when you open the cap. If you notice coolant leaking out from the radiator cap before you unscrew it, buy a replacement.

You can buy a drip pan from an automotive supply store. If you don’t have a drip pan, you can also use a bucket. You may need to jack your vehicle onto stands if you can’t get under your vehicle to find the drain plug.

You do not need to drain all of the coolant from your vehicle. Save the coolant you drained since you can keep using it. If your coolant is filled with dirt or floating debris, you may need to flush your radiator to clean it.

You do not need to remove the radiator hose, but you can unclamp it if you have trouble reaching the housing’s bolts. If the housing has dents or pitting, you should also replace it.

Save the old thermostat until you get a new one or take pictures of it to ensure that you buy one that’s exactly the same.

New thermostats and gaskets usually cost over $50 USD total, but it may be more expensive depending on the make and model of your vehicle. [8] X Research source The type of gasket you buy depends on the make and model of your vehicle.

If you don’t clean off the residue, then the housing won’t sit properly and could cause coolant to leak. Avoid being too forceful with your scraper since the thermostat housing is usually made from aluminum and can easily get damaged or dented.

If you install the thermostat with the spring side face-up, it won’t open properly and could cause your engine to overheat.

Avoid overtightening the bolts since you could easily damage the aluminum housing.

If your vehicle doesn’t have a reservoir, pour the coolant directly into your radiator.

If you don’t put the cap back on, then the thermostat and radiator won’t function properly and your engine may overheat.

Check the temperature gauge on your dashboard to make sure it stays below the ¾-mark. If the gauge still goes into the red zone, then there may be a leak or you’ve installed the thermostat improperly.

Avoid overfilling the coolant reservoir since it could cause damage if pressure builds up.