How to Replace the Thermostat on a 1995 Ford Contour ES

The 1995 Ford Contour ES came with either a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 2.5-liter V-6 engine. Both engines use a 195-degree thermostat. The thermostat is a temperature-activated device installed in the path of the engine coolant flow. It is designed to stop all coolant flow when then engine is cold, causing the coolant in the engine to hasten its warm-up time. The faster an engine heats up, the sooner it becomes more efficient and reduces harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Instructions

2.0-Liter 4-Cylinder Engine

1

Remove the intake air duct, using a screwdriver. Locate the thermostat housing by following the top radiator hose to the engine -- it is attached to the housing, which is located on the passenger's front side of the engine.

2

Remove the hose located on the top of the thermostat housing, which is the coolant return hose, using a screwdriver or pliers (depending on the type of clamp) to loosen the clamp. Pull the hose off.

3

Loosen the large top radiator hose clamp at the housing, using the pliers or screwdriver (depending on the type of clamp) and pull the hose off. There will be very little loss of antifreeze, since the hose is close to the same height as the top of the radiator.

4

Remove the three bolts in the thermostat housing, using a socket. Pull the thermostat housing off carefully. Withdraw the thermostat from the engine block.

5

Remove the new thermostat from the box and install the rubber sealer ring around the outside diameter of the thermostat, if it is not already installed. Insert the thermostat's long spring end into the block and push it down firmly to seat the rubber sealer ring in the groove.

6

Install the thermostat housing and torque the three bolts to 90 inch-pounds. Install the two hoses and tighten the clamps. Install the intake air duct.

7

Fill the radiator with antifreeze. It will not take much at this point, since the radiator was not drained. Start the engine and wait for the thermostat to open as the engine reaches normal operating temperature. When this happens, the coolant level will drop slightly; at this time fill the radiator the remainder of the way and install the cap on the radiator.

2.5-Liter V-6 Engine

8

Disconnect the battery terminals, starting with the negative terminal, using a wrench. Loosen the battery hold-down clamp with a socket and move it aside. Lift the battery out of the car. Remove the intake air duct.

9

Remove the upper radiator hose clamp at the intake manifold thermostat housing. Pull the hose off. Remove the second hose from the housing, as well. Remove the two bolts securing the housing to the block, using a socket. Pull the housing away from the block, carefully. Lift the thermostat out of the block.

10

Install the new thermostat, making sure that it has the new O-ring that accompanies the thermostat installed. Install its long-spring-end first into the block and push it in with a little force to seat the O-ring. Install the housing and torque the bolts to 90 inch-pounds.

11

Install the two hoses and tighten the clamps. Install the intake air duct. Install the battery and tighten the battery hold-down clamp. Install both battery terminals, starting with the positive terminal, and tighten with a wrench.

12

Fill the radiator with antifreeze and start the engine. It will not take much, since the radiator was not drained. When the engine reaches operating temperature, the thermostat will open and the coolant level will drop somewhat. The coolant can be seen flowing through the cores. Add enough antifreeze to bring it up to within an inch of the top of the radiator, giving it a little space to expand, then install the cap.