2003 Dodge caravan thermostat

[@davegaetano7118]

Use a longer extension on your ratchet to remove the thermostat holder bolts.

[@apocsantilli9553]

What about the missing pieces of the old thermostat? They are probably stuck either in the radiator or flowing through the pump. You may want to recommend flushing the radiator. I would also ask the owner if they are running tap water in the system to account for the disintegration of the thermostat, and probably the radiator, pump, and whole cooling system. Tell them tap water or even the wrong coolant is a bad idea. The upper radiator hose is bulging a lot and replacing it should be recommended to the owner. The gasket with the blue inner ring is the best gasket. The paper/cork gaskets stink and always seem to need some sealant. A better surface prep would have probably helped. Once I purchased a $10.00 hose clamp tool I can't live without it. It puts vise grips, channel locks and the rest to shame. The job got done however and that's what matters in the end but it could have been so much less of a hassle.

[@JesusHouse-f4n]

Thanks for showing us how the thermostat sits in hose

[@luiszubillaga1463]

I just did this on my Voyager. I tried to use the metallic gasket but it didn't fit so I used the second one , the blue one non metallic and it worked great, I didn't use permatex . don't forget to bleed air out after.

[@Greloteur]

What I'm telling me is that if despite of the bad condition of the thermostat that is just as a hole, the van was over-heating, it means that the missing parts are clogging somewhere. I may be wrong but with t a thermostat "open" the van should have difficulties to warm enough ?

[@davegaetano7118]

You should take the radiator hose off first, thenRemove the thermostat holder.

[@jnunez1203]

Clean the housing with grinder and wheel wire brush..gets more clean..

[@MrLamu8080]

Does the caravan has the 2.4L engine

[@jubei69200]

2.4

[@jayrflores6767]

Yes i have a v4 dodge caravan

[@earthbarnes6694]

I have to do this job