So....Replacing Thermostat

lsdarkshadow

lsdarkshadow

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Having my buddy,( a mechanic ) replace the thermostat on my 2001 Lincoln LS. I just need to get the part. Two types they have are the Motorcraft 190 degree hi temp and the GATES 183 degree. Which one should I get and how big of a deal is the seven degrees? He's a chevy guy so just wanted to check with the LS pros. LVC has yet to let me down.
 
Isn't Motorcraft what Ford puts into the car stock? I would just go with that one.
 
Yeah..

I guess I get a little sketched about motorcraft parts when you end up needing to replace so many of them. I mean...I love my car but the LS has never been Motor Trends most mechanically reliable car of the year. Not when so many of us have had to replace the exact same parts.:confused:

Still, I also realize that some times only the original part is a good idea.

Has anyone replaced the thermostat and with what kind of results?
 
I replaced mine with motorcraft. Works fine. Not a tough job at all. toughest part is filling/bleeding the coolant, and that's easy as long as you can follow directions.
 
Replacing

Hey Pektel...when you t-stat went out, did your dash gauge spike. My dash gauge shows normal even though my dio tool shows temp at 215 and climbing. And no heat from the heater which is why i figured t stat to begin with. Am I off base do you think?
 
lsdarkshadow said:
Hey Pektel...when you t-stat went out, did your dash gauge spike. My dash gauge shows normal even though my dio tool shows temp at 215 and climbing. And no heat from the heater which is why i figured t stat to begin with. Am I off base do you think?
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Yes, you're off base. (No heat from the heater is a good clue.) It sounds like you have air in the cooling system. The air needs to be bled out, but first you must find and fix the leak that let it in. This will most likely be the reservoir.
 
I was chasing a sporadic overheat issue. I tried the t-stat, since I figured it was probably air, but it didn't take much more ot change the tstat while I was doing that.

My problem was actually a faulty cylinder head temp sensor.

But I agree with joe. air in the system sounds like your culprit.

Print off thefollowing how-to, and follow the filling/bleeding instructions to a T.

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/CoolingSystemDraining/
 
Thanks guys

Thanks joe and Pektel. I think I am gonna do the t-stat anyway just because for under $20 I am gonna bleed the system anyway. Then find the air culprit. Hopefully also an easy fix. Just out of curiosity, what are some of the symptoms for that other sensor for me to watch out for?
 
It was exhibiting symptoms similar to a sticking t-stat. The vehicle would occasionally overheat. I'd pull over on the side of the road, wait a few minutes, turn the car back on, and all was well. A couple times I popped the hood, and waited to hear coolant start flowing (when the vehicle is off, of course).

When I heard the tstat pop open, I'd restart the vehicle, and temp would be normal. That's when I changed the tstat, and bled the system properly. it did not fix the issue though so I brought it to the dealer who sold me the car, since they sold me the aftermarket warranty. It was not covered by the warranty, but the salesman who helped me purchase the car was very generous, and had the dealer cover all the costs, minus my deductible.
 
pektel said:
It was exhibiting symptoms similar to a sticking t-stat. The vehicle would occasionally overheat. I'd pull over on the side of the road, wait a few minutes, turn the car back on, and all was well. A couple times I popped the hood, and waited to hear coolant start flowing (when the vehicle is off, of course).

When I heard the tstat pop open, I'd restart the vehicle, and temp would be normal. That's when I changed the tstat, and bled the system properly. it did not fix the issue though so I brought it to the dealer who sold me the car, since they sold me the aftermarket warranty. It was not covered by the warranty, but the salesman who helped me purchase the car was very generous, and had the dealer cover all the costs, minus my deductible.
Click to expand...

I don't suppose the cylinder head temp sensor is easy to replace is it. I kinda want to limit down time by replace as much as I can now on my own so I'm not in the shop later. If I can get new sensors in while doing the other work I feel I can stay ahead of the LS mechanical curse. (just replaced all coils)
 
The intake manifold has to be removed to get to the CHT sensor. Although it's not necessarily a difficult job, it is more surgery than you're going to be doing by just changing the thermostat. It's not a "while I'm there anyway" repair.

There is a how to on that somewhere too, although I did not see it under the tech articles button at the top of the page. Check out the tech articles section for a lot of useful info on DIY repairs.
 
pektel said:
The intake manifold has to be removed to get to the CHT sensor. Although it's not necessarily a difficult job, it is more surgery than you're going to be doing by just changing the thermostat. It's not a "while I'm there anyway" repair.

There is a how to on that somewhere too, although I did not see it under the tech articles button at the top of the page. Check out the tech articles section for a lot of useful info on DIY repairs.
Click to expand...

I'm also thinking that before I engage this, shouldn't my dio tool be able to tell me if the cylinder head temp sensor is working properly?
 
I am not sure. The only diagnostic tool I have is my xcal. It can read DTC's, but that's it. The only time the CEL came on, the code left behind only said the vehicle overheated. did not say why.
 
pektel said:
I am not sure. The only diagnostic tool I have is my xcal. It can read DTC's, but that's it. The only time the CEL came on, the code left behind only said the vehicle overheated. did not say why.
Click to expand...

Are those xcal's worth the money?
 
If you have a competent tuner, yes. Most on here use either Torrie from fastpartsnetwork or ILLS, a member on here. I had a timing issue with my tune, and have been trying for 2 weeks to get a hold of ILLS to fix it, but haven't got an email back. I'd have a hard time recommending him right now because of the lack of communication. But at least tuning back to stock alleviated the issue, and I have a driveable car until it gets fixed.

But the difference in the transmission, and the 1st gear start is even well worth it to me. Of course, the added hp is nice too.
 
If the previous owner tuned it back to stock, and if it has enough unlocks left, then yes.
 
An xcal can be used a total of 3 - 5 times. Can't remember how many, but if you go to check it out, have him plug it in to his car, and scroll down to "device info" IIRC. That will tell you how many unlocks it has left.
 
Nice. Will do.:) wanna give my baby as much pep as I can afford, but may end up spendin the $400 to get a new one. Not gonna turn down a good used one though if he indeed took care of it.
 
I was wondering about a thermostat that will have my engine running a little cooler as here in Miami the weather is so dang hot I thought it'll be a good idea to keep aluminum a bit cooler.

What do you guys think?

Also, does the 5spd sport has an oil cooler??
 
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