Instructions to Replace a Thermostat on a Dodge Stratus
by Zyon Silket
The process for changing a broken thermostat on a Dodge Stratus depends on the model of engine your Stratus has. The Doge Stratus is equipped with either a four-cylinder engine or a six-cylinder engine. If you own a four-cylinder engine, the thermostat mounts in the traditional location on top of the intake manifold. If you own a six-cylinder engine, the thermostat mounts on the lower half of the engine block. The four-cylinder engine is easier to change because it is easier to get to and you do not have to drain the radiator.
Four Cylinder Engines
Step 1
Find the location where the upper radiator hose connects to the intake manifold of the engine by tracing it from the radiator to thermostat intake housing bolted to the intake.
Step 2
Remove the radiator hose from the thermostat intake housing by loosening the band clamp that secures it into place. With the clamp loosened, pull the hose off the housing.
Step 3
Remove the two bolts that secure the housing to the intake manifold and then lift the housing off the intake.
Step 4
Lift the thermostat out of the intake manifold and place the new thermostat into the hole. The end of the thermostat with the pin protruding from it sticks out of the intake manifold.
Step 5
Lift the thermostat intake housing gasket off the intake manifold and place the new one onto the intake manifold.
Step 6
Place the thermostat intake housing onto the intake manifold and bolt it into place. Reconnect the hose using the band clamp.
Six-Cylinder Engines
Step 1
Drive the Dodge onto a set of front-end ramps and secure the parking break. Allow adequate time for the radiator fluid to cool down. Thirty minutes is usually adequate.
Step 2
Loosen the petcock on the lower right hand side of the radiator and drain all of the radiator fluid into a drain pan. Close the petcock once drained.
Step 3
Trace the lower radiator hose to the location where the hose connects to the engine block. The metal housing the hose connects to is the lower thermostat outlet. Remove the hose from the outlet by loosening the band clamp and then by pulling the hose off the outlet. Be careful--some fluid will drain from the hose.
Step 4
Remove the two bolts that secure the thermostat outlet to the engine block and pull the thermostat outlet off the block.
Step 5
Discard the O-ring inside the bottom edge of the thermostat outlet and place a new one into the outlet.
Step 6
Pull the thermostat out of the engine block and replace it with a new one. The end with the pin protruding from it sticks out of the engine block.
Step 7
Place the thermostat outlet onto the engine block and secure it into place. Reattach the lower radiator hose with the band clamp.
Step 8
Open the radiator filler cap located on top of the radiator and fill the radiator with the fluid previously drained from the system.
References
- "Dodge Stratus Repair Manual Years 1995 to 2000" Haynes; 2001
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- Thermostat
- Thermostat gasket or thermostat O-ring
- Front end ramps
- Drain pan
Writer Bio
Since 2006 Zyon Silket has been writing for companies such as SEOWhat, L&C Freelancing and T-Mobile Wireless. He has extensive experience working in supervisory roles within the wireless and Internet technologies fields. Silket is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in business management and network technologies at Lehigh Carbon Community College.
