How to Change the Thermostat in a Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar debuted in 1967 as a powerful pony car. Over the years, the Cougar by 2002 was discontinued, the only thing it had in common with the original model was the Ford DNA. Here the detail to guide you through the installation of a new thermostat on the 2.0L engine.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable from the terminal. Drain the cooling system so that the level of coolant is below the level of the thermostat.

2

Take out the air intake resonators. Remove the upper radiator hose and the coolant recovery tank hose from the water outlet.

3

Loosen and remove the retaining bolts from the water outlet. Take the outlet from the thermostat housing. Lift out the thermostat and the O-ring.

4

Clean the thermostat housing of any gasket material or dirt. Set the new thermostat and a new O-ring in place in the housing. Torque the retaining bolts to 71-97 inch lbs.

5

Reconnect the upper radiator hose and the coolant recovery tank hose to the water outlet. Install the air intake resonators. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the terminal.

6

Refill the cooling system with a 50/50 mix of water and coolant. Replace the radiator cap securely.

7

Start the engine. Bleed the cooling system and check for coolant leaks.