Help - How to replace a thermostat

[Egon Spengler]

I have looked through the website and I would like for someone to give me step by step directions as to how to replace a thermostat. I just bought a 195 degree thermostat and I have no idea where it is or how to replace it. It doesnt look like it is in the standard location as regular cars. Someone please provide me and other people that will have the same problem, the information needed for a clean install... I hear about burbing the system etc and I have no idea what that means... PLEASE GUIDE ME... How to's and locations of everything... This guidance will be greatly appreciated, I don't want to pay someone for something so tiny and simple and I am very mechanically inclined, I just dont want to mess anything up on my mm! PLEASE HELP! Thanks guys!!!
:help:

[Pat]

The stock thermostat I believe is 185 degree. Why put in a 195 degree.
The marauder cooling system leaves a little to be desired in the drivers head area so many owners put in a 180 degree thermostat or just leave it stock.

Others resort to electric water pumps to keep the motor cool. I've not seen anyone put in a part to make the engine run hotter.

Before you replace the thermostat I would find out the affects first.

The computer looks at water temperature in it's calculations for fuel delivery and timing. You may be doing yourself and your car's performance a disservice in raising the temp up that much. FWIW.

[Egon Spengler]

This is what I was given at my local parts dealer that is what is assigned to this car in their computer... my heat sucks and I want heat... i live in Massachusetts!!! This is the one I got from the parts store... Even if it is wrong to use this one... can I get a how to please so when I do it I do it right!?!

[finster101]

If your heat sucks you may be just a little low on coolant. Look at the coolant tube on the front of the motor and find the plug that has a 1/4 square hole in it. With a cold motor use a 1/4 inch ratchet and remove this plug and start the engine. Let it run till it warms up and fill it with coolant using this hole. It may help to have your heat on the highest setting as well. I would try this before I replaced the thermostat. Give it a shot and let us know.

[Blackened300a]

This is what I was given at my local parts dealer that is what is assigned to this car in their computer... my heat sucks and I want heat... i live in Massachusetts!!! This is the one I got from the parts store... Even if it is wrong to use this one... can I get a how to please so when I do it I do it right!?!

I have a 180 stat with a EMP performance waterpump and I get more then enough heat. You may have air in the system or like was said before, check your coolant level. The cooler a engine runs the more power it makes.

[Local Boy]

Don't put a 195* thermostat in your car...You'll get heat all right...The kind you may not like...The thermostat will open @ 10* before you hit the danger zone!!! Not good...for your motor or your trans...Get a stock (185*) or cooler (180*) thermostat!
Open your hood, look down the right side of your radiator. You will see where three coolant tubes meet (thermostat housing). the bolts, you'll see, are accessed from the bottom...There is a O-ring, in the housing,that can be re-used if not torn of sliced. I'd put in a new O-ring, just for cheap insurance (peace of mind), to avoid leaks...It helps if you remove the fan assembly, for access...And your'e done...

In terms of "burping" the system. I've found that I get better results if I raise the front of the car ( I have an inclined driveway), you can jack it, or roll it up on a couple of 2x4's. This will foster movement of air toward the front of the cooling system. With the car cold, look at the cross over tube, you will find a round "disk" shaped plug, with a 1/4 drive (female) socket (square) opening. Use a 1/4 drive ratchet (do not use an extension), and open the coolant opening. This is where you fill the coolant system (NOT the reserve tank). Pour slowly, until all the air is out (no more bubbles). Do this until the motor reaches operating temp. and a few minutes after. I also set the heater on its highest setting, to move air out of the heater core...After you've done all of this...leave the cap off (plug), and let cool. You'll find as it cools, more air will come out, resulting in you needing to pour more coolant in...When motor is cool. fill the fill hole to the top of the cross tube, and allow the coolant to over flow while you are tightening the cap. The cap will dis-place the coolant, while tightening. Cap and tighten (not too tight) when the motor is cool...I did two cycles of this and have had no problems since...

TIP: I used a funnel, with a rubber hose (5/8 I think) attached to the funnel. The rubber hose, with funnel attached, is pushed into the fill hole, and allowed to stand freely holding just enough coolant over the fill hole, so that no air can enter the system, only coolant. And I just stand by, drinking a cold one, while filling the funnel when the level goes down...

Hope this helps...

Good Luck...

ALOHA

[Egon Spengler]

ok... i will try to get the air out... coolant level is good... still want to replace the thermostat... is a 195 degree ok to use? that is what consumer autoparts labels for our car... is 195 ok? will it funk with anything?

[Egon Spengler]

thanks guys... I will return the 195 and get a 185 and then I will take local boy's advice... thank you sir... greatly appreciated

[Local Boy]

No problem...Let us know how it turns out...

Good Luck...

ALOHA

[freakstatus]

No problem...Let us know how it turns out...

Good Luck...

ALOHA

Randy, do you even use heat in Hawaii??

[Local Boy]

Never!!!

But need to have all the systems working properly...

See Ya in April...

ALOHA

[Egon Spengler]

Burped the system a little... it was very messy so I stopped because I didn't have proper containment for the overflowing and it was gettling all over the belt and pulleys... I did notice a difference already!! Am I doing something wrong for this to be so messy? I filled it up and when the motor started to warm up it started to overflow a little... is it supposed to? I stopped once it started to overflow.

[RF Overlord]

Am I doing something wrong for this to be so messy? I assume you removed the little round cap from the coolant crossover tube? Just put the cap back on and leave it real loose...like one turn from coming off...that will contain most of the coolant but still allow trapped air to escape...when it stops burping and fizzing, just tighten the cap and you should be golden.

[Egon Spengler]

thank you sir

[Local Boy]

I'm sorry...

I should of been more clear...

The funnel with the 5/8 hose attached (pushed into the fill hole), allows the level of coolant to fluctuate (in the funnel) allowing more air to come out...

ALOHA

[GreekGod]

...You can reduce confusion, & avoid possible bad advice, by purchasing a Ford shop manual...one example: no one mentioned the shop manual recommends testing a new thermostat before installation...there are other issues to consider, too...;)

[Egon Spengler]

where do I get these manuals... I have been looking for a chiltons book or haynes book for this car and it doesnt seem to exist... I would like a repair manual for this beast!!

[GreekGod]

Link to Helm:

http://www.helminc.com/helm/welcome_select_oem.asp?Style=&mscsid=MVUAFD0NPVEE9LF09P4MT3W SM1NN6JG8 (http://www.helminc.com/helm/welcome_select_oem.asp?Style=&mscsid=MVUAFD0NPVEE9LF09P4MT3W SM1NN6JG8)

Haynes & Chilton books area waste of money for a Marauder

[RF Overlord]

[I]Haynes & Chilton books area waste of money for a MarauderAgreed. The Chiltons books are pretty good, but Haynes manuals are way too generic and are frequently inaccurate. Spend the $139 and get the REAL Ford factory service manual from HELM. The very first repair you do yourself will more than pay for the manual.

[Egon Spengler]

Which manual do I get from that website... there is so muich stuff to choose from... which is the one I want?

[RF Overlord]

This one. (http://www.helminc.com/helm/product2.asp?class%5F2=FCT&mk=Ford+%26+Lincoln+Mercury&yr=2003&md=Marauder&dt=Shop%2FService+Information&module=&from=result&Style=&Sku=FCS1219103&itemtype=N&mscsid=EJTPBJ6JBN1D8NVAUJH2FP4 G6XA837XE)




78910

[Egon Spengler]

Thank you!

[fastblackmerc]

Just buy some used shop manuals.

I got mine from eBay.

Shop Manual
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-Ford-Crown-Victoria-Factory-Shop-Service-Manual_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcateg oryZ6759QQihZ012QQitemZ2201825 51422

Electrical Manual
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-Ford-Crown-Victoria-Wiring-Diagrams-Fact-Manual_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcateg oryZ6759QQihZ012QQitemZ2201854 36033

And before you ask, Marauder specific details are in each manual.

I've gotten alot of stuff from this eBayer with no problems.

[Egon Spengler]

Replaced my 195 degree thermostat and will get a 185 degree eventually... question.... I found the thermostat location, can it be accessed fully without the removal of the oil filter... looks kinda tight right there

[Shora]

Replaced my 195 degree thermostat and will get a 185 degree eventually... question.... I found the thermostat location, can it be accessed fully without the removal of the oil filter... looks kinda tight right there

You are looking in the wrong place. You do not need to touch the oil filter in any way.

[RF Overlord]

tj, the thermostat is in the weird-looking little "pod" with 3 hoses connected to it...hanging there all by itself. While it's on the same side of the motor as the oil filter, it's not exactly near it...

[Egon Spengler]

okely dokely