98 Voyager 3.0 liter V6 Thermostat Replacement?

Discussion in 'Voyager' started by zebra, Dec 21, 2004.

  1. zebra

    zebra Guest

    How hard is it to replace the thermostat on a 98 Voyager with the 3.0
    liter Mitsubishi V6?

    We've had some really cold weather on the east coast the past few days
    and I noticed that the temperature gauge in my wife's Vger is only
    going up 1/4 the way, even on the highway. In the summer, the temp
    gauge would head up about half way.

    I'm thinking I have a defective thermostat, which also could explain
    the poor gas mileage the minivan has gotten for some time, asssuming
    it's not getting up to proper operating temperature. The vehicle also
    takes a long time to warm up - more so than it used to.

    I haven't looked under the hood yet to see where the thermostat is
    located to see if this is a job I can do myself. If it's behind the
    timing belt cover, I may bite the bullet and pay to have someone do
    it, but if it's an easy job, I'd like the challenge.
     
    zebra, Dec 21, 2004
    #1
  2. zebra

    maxpower Guest

    very easy to replace, you may as well flush the system too, drain the
    petcock, remove the housing and clean off the old gasket, reassemble. make
    sure as you are filling it up you get the air out of the system while the
    engine is running
     
    maxpower, Dec 22, 2004
    #2
  3. zebra

    Zebra Guest

    On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 19:04:52 -0500, "maxpower"

    Thanks for the reply - looking in my Haynes manual, it does not
    mention the 3.0 as an engine which requires "bleeding" to get the air
    out. Yet the Chiltons does... (go figure). Looks like it should be
    fairly straight-forward. Wish me luck!
     
    Zebra, Dec 22, 2004
    #3
  4. zebra

    howard Guest

    <Thanks for the reply - looking in my Haynes manual, it does not
    mention the 3.0 as an engine which requires "bleeding" to get the air
    out. Yet the Chiltons does... (go figure). Looks like it should be
    fairly straight-forward. Wish me luck!>
    ==============================================
    Here comes the "detractors" of Haynes and the like.

    HNY
    h
     
    howard, Dec 22, 2004
    #4
  5. zebra

    Zebra Guest

    On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 18:12:04 -0800, "howard"

    I don't usually need a manual, but like to have one for reference.
    Often times those manuals are quite generic and don't give me the
    exact stuff I am looking for when tackling a repair. The old
    carpenter's saying "measure twice and cut once" comes to mind...
    forewarned is forearmed... I'll be quiet now. (grin!)
     
    Zebra, Dec 22, 2004
    #5
  6. zebra

    Treeline Guest

    I replaced the thermostat on my 3.0 Voyager. You might want to spend
    the money for the original Mitsubishi part from the dealer. It's about
    $20 versus 3rd party for $6-$10 but it is made a little better and less
    likely to stick. I don't want to replace this again and it did seem
    to work a little smoother than the Slant or 3rd party thermostats.

    It's not hard, although I was careful and took me almost 2 hours.
    I am sure it can be done in 30 minutes but I did not want anything
    to fall into the engine. Just take off one of the radiator hoses and
    voila, sits on the front of the engine, so very accessible leaning
    over the front of the engine compartment.

    I also replaced the hose at the same time, figuring why not.
    Not have to worry much about bleeding, just made sure not much
    air was getting in. Also check the engine codes and sure enough
    it was the thermostat.
     
    Treeline, Dec 22, 2004
    #6
  7. zebra

    Zebra Guest

    On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 04:38:52 -0500, "Treeline"

    Thanks for the insight - I thought about getting a dealer part as well
    as I do not mind spending more for a quality part.
     
    Zebra, Dec 22, 2004
    #7
  8. zebra

    Zebra Guest

    Hmmm... $30 for the dealer part. Hope to pop it in tomorrow when it
    warms up a little.
     
    Zebra, Dec 29, 2004
    #8
  9. zebra

    Zebra Guest

    Thanks for everyone's help - it was a pretty easy job. The old
    thermostat was stuck slightly open - I could see light thru the
    sealing surfaces. The new 'stat gets the temp up to half-way on the
    gauge whereas the old one only went up 1/4. The proof will be in the
    colder weather to come and also to see if we get better MPG now. I
    suspect we should as the car was running too cold.

    Thanks again!
     
    Zebra, Dec 29, 2004
    #9
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.