How Do I Replace the Thermostat on Lincoln Cars

When your Lincoln car begins to overheat or runs warmer than usual, it is an indication that your thermostat may be sticking or failing. To prevent costly repairs to your engine due to overheating, you should replace the thermostat right away at the first sign of trouble. Buy a new thermostat at an auto-parts retailer or Lincoln car dealership. Change the thermostat at home for a fraction of the cost of a service center.

Under The Hood:

• How Do I Replace the Thermostat on a 200 Lincoln LS?
• How to Replace a Thermostat in a Lincoln Mark 8
• How to Change the Thermostat in a 1996 Lincoln Town Car
• How to Change the Thermostat in a 1997 Lincoln Continental
• How to Change the Thermostat in a Lincoln Navigator

 How Do I Replace the Thermostat on a 200 Lincoln LS?

Drain the coolant from the radiator while the engine is cool. The drain petcock is located at the bottom of the radiator, pointing toward the engine. Access the petcock from underneath. Use a catch pan to capture the draining coolant and turn the petcock clockwise to open. Close the petcock after the majority of coolant drains into the catch pan.

Follow the upper radiator hose from the radiator to the engine block. The hose connects to the thermostat housing at the engine.

Take off the air breather outlet hose connected to the housing. Loosen the clamp with a regular screwdriver and slide it up the hose. Pull the hose off the thermostat housing.

Loosen the radiator hose clamp at the thermostat housing. A large pair of pliers is necessary for loosening the hose clamp. Grab the two prongs on the clamp with the pliers and squeeze them together to loosen the clamp on the hose. Slide the clamp up the hose toward the radiator. Release the clamp and leave it on the hose.

Remove the two thermostat housing bolts with a ratchet, extension and swivel. With the bolts out, pull the thermostat housing out of the engine block to expose the thermostat. Be careful not to spill coolant onto the serpentine belt. Holding a shop rag under the housing while pulling it out will help.

Pull out the thermostat and sealing o-ring by hand. It may stay in the engine when the housing is removed, or it may stick in the housing. Either way, pull it out and throw it away.

Insert the new thermostat and o-ring into the housing. Ensure the thermostat orientation is the same as the old thermostat.

Install the housing into the block and re-insert the bolts. Tighten the bolts with the ratchet, extension and swivel.

Install the radiator hose onto the housing and re-install the clamp with a pair of pliers.

Plug the air breather outlet hose into the housing and install the clamp with a regular screwdriver.

Refill the radiator with pre-mixed coolant. Fill until the coolant reaches the bottom of the radiator cap. Install the cap and crank the engine.

Observe the hoses, thermostat housing and radiator area for signs of leaking coolant. Tighten any connections that may leak as necessary.

Shut the engine down and re-check the coolant level. Fill the coolant tank to the fill-line with coolant.

 How to Replace a Thermostat in a Lincoln Mark 8

Locate the drainplug on the bottom of the radiator. Unscrew it using the socket wrenches and allow the coolant to drain out into a waste container.

Find the faulty thermostat. It is located directly under the power steering reservoir and has three hoses running from it. Use the screwdriver to remove the hose clamp on the hose entering the engine. Pull the hose off and use the socket set to remove the cover underneath.

Pull the thermostat out and replace it with the new thermostat. Replace the cover, reinstall the coolant hose, and refill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant. Start the car and allow it to heat to 210 degrees F. Observe the in-dash temperature gauges to pinpoint any inconsistencies in temperature.

 How to Change the Thermostat in a 1996 Lincoln Town Car

Place a large drain pan beneath the radiator drain on the passenger side of the Town Car. Open the hood and remove the radiator cap.

Loosen the radiator drain plug using a wrench. Wait until the coolant is below the level of the upper radiator hose.

Trace the upper radiator hose to the thermostat housing. Loosen the hose clamp on the housing with a flat-blade screwdriver. Slide the clamp back and remove the hose from the housing. Use a wrench to remove the two mounting bolts from the thermostat housing.

Slide the housing off of the intake manifold. Clean any remaining gasket pieces from the thermostat housing with a flat scraper and clean rag. Remove the old thermostat from the housing.

Insert the new thermostat into the housing. Position the new gasket on the outer edge of the housing and position it over the mounting area on the intake manifold. Replace the two mounting bolts and tighten them using a wrench.

Replace the upper radiator hose on the thermostat housing and tighten the hose clamp. Top off the radiator with a blend of equal parts antifreeze and distilled water. Replace the radiator cap.

 How to Change the Thermostat in a 1997 Lincoln Continental

Open the hood of your Continental and remove the radiator cap. Be sure the engine cools before removing the cap to avoid injury.

Place a large drain pan beneath the radiator drain at the base of the radiator on the driver side of the car. Loosen the drain plug with a wrench and drain the coolant until the level is below the top radiator hose. Tighten the drain plug and remove the drain pan.

Loosen the screws on the hose clamp of the upper radiator hose at the thermostat housing with a flat-bladed screwdriver. Remove the clamp and the hose from the thermostat housing.

Remove the mounting bolts from the thermostat housing with a socket and ratchet. Pull the thermostat housing off the engine block. Pull the thermostat out of the housing. Inspect the O-ring for signs of damage and replace it if needed.

Insert the new thermostat into the housing and add the O-ring. Replace the thermostat housing and secure it with the mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts to 18 in-lbs. with your torque wrench, alternating between bolts to avoid over-tightening either side.

Replace the upper radiator hose on the thermostat housing and secure the hose clamp. Tighten the screw on the clamp with a flat-bladed screwdriver.

Add a 50/50 blend of coolant and distilled water to the radiator until the coolant level is full. Replace the radiator cap and tighten it completely. Start the engine and check for any coolant leaks. Let the engine warm up to ensure the new thermostat is functioning properly.

 How to Change the Thermostat in a Lincoln Navigator

Drain enough coolant from the engine to bring the level below that of the thermostat. Store the coolant in a container that can be securely sealed.

Take the upper radiator hose from the water outlet adapter. Remove the upper mounting bracket for the power steering reservoir. Loosen and then remove the bolts on the water outlet adapter, and then remove the adapter.

Lift out the thermostat and the O-ring seal. Remove the O-ring seal and throw it away.

Set a new O-ring in place on the thermostat. Place the thermostat in position and then replace the water outlet adapter. Torque the water outlet adapter bolts to 18 foot pounds.

Replace the upper mounting bracket for the power steering reservoir. Torque the two upper bolts to 13 foot pounds and the lower bolt to 8 foot pounds.

Connect the upper radiator hose to the water outlet adapter. Refill the cooling system with the recommended coolant.

Start the engine and check for leaks. Turn off the engine and add coolant as needed.