How to Install a Mercury Sable Thermostat
by Russell Wood
The thermostat installed on your Mercury Sable's 3.0l engine is what allows coolant to flow from the radiator to the engine. When the thermostat goes out, your engine temperature will start to rise with use, and you could overheat the engine and cause permanent damage. Replacing the thermostat isn't an incredibly difficult process, but it will take at least an hour to do correctly.
Step 1
Allow the vehicle to cool completely before working the cooling system. You should be able to put your hand flat on the top of the engine without burning yourself, otherwise you risk burning yourself from hot coolant.
Step 2
Lift up the front of the vehicle using the jack and secure it on jack stands. Make sure the vehicle is completely secure on the jack stands before you crawl underneath it.
Step 3
Place a drain pan underneath the radiator and open the drain cock using your hands. Drain out approximately half of the coolant in the radiator. This should minimize any spillage when removing the thermostat housing.
Step 4
Unbolt the thermostat housing from itself using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Lower down the stock thermostat and o-ring.
Step 5
Remove both the thermostat and the o-ring and discard. Install the new o-ring and thermostat in its place. Reassemble the thermostat housing using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket.
Step 6
Open the radiator cap using your hands and fill up the radiator using the pre-diluted coolant.
Things You'll Need
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Drain pan
- 3/8-inch ratchet and socket
- Replacement thermostat and o-ring
- Pre-diluted coolant
Writer Bio
Russell Wood is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University. He has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles. In 2000 Wood started a career as a writer, and since then he has dedicated his business to writing and photographing cars and trucks, as well as helping people learn more about how vehicles work.
