anyone know how to change thermostat? easy or hard and how thanks?

Yea changed mine about 3 months ago. Its not hard, but just a pain to get to atleast on a 2.4. Prolly an hour job at the most. I think someone on hear had a diagram? not sure who but google it im sure u can find it.

2.2L Engine

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Fig. 1: The thermostat is located in the lower radiator hose on the 2.2L engine

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Fig. 2: Remove the two retaining bolts for on the housing

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Fig. 3: Separate the housing halves to access the thermostat

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Fig. 4: Pull the thermostat out to remove it from the housing

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Fig. 5: The thermostat has an O-ring which goes around the center

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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.http://autozone.com/images/cds/jpg/small/0900823d80191a65.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:pop()
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.

Whatever you do, make sure you get the stat from NAPA. If you get a cheap one from A-zone or some place like that, you will have trouble. I had all kinds of issues at this time last year when I replaced the OEM with a cheap A-zone. Three stats later, someone here clued me in. The spring on the cheap ones is weak. I got a NAPA, installed it and all my problems went away.

Do a search and read all about it.

Tim