Chevrolet Cavalier Car Thermostat Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(353)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(353)

Car Thermostat Replacement Service

How much does a Car Thermostat Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Chevrolet Cavalier Car Thermostat Replacement is $206 with $66 for parts and $140 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1997 Chevrolet CavalierL4-2.4LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$447.62Shop/Dealer Price$496.26 - $627.58
1994 Chevrolet CavalierL4-2.2LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$309.65Shop/Dealer Price$352.40 - $476.52
1998 Chevrolet CavalierL4-2.4LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$431.40Shop/Dealer Price$476.90 - $605.88
1997 Chevrolet CavalierL4-2.2LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$318.87Shop/Dealer Price$363.95 - $495.00
1990 Chevrolet CavalierV6-3.1LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$315.33Shop/Dealer Price$361.00 - $490.50
1992 Chevrolet CavalierV6-3.1LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$315.33Shop/Dealer Price$359.66 - $488.17
2004 Chevrolet CavalierL4-2.2LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$513.70Shop/Dealer Price$565.95 - $713.43
2003 Chevrolet CavalierL4-2.2LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$507.36Shop/Dealer Price$557.99 - $700.69
Show example Chevrolet Cavalier Car Thermostat Replacement prices

What is an engine cooling system thermostat and how does it work?

The car's engine cooling system thermostat is a small valve within a cooling system passageway that opens and closes in response to the temperature of the circulating engine coolant. When your car is first started and the coolant is cold, the valve in the thermostat will be in the closed position, circulating the coolant flow only within the engine instead of flowing to the radiator, which allows the engine to warm up fast, promoting fuel efficiency, low emissions, and reduced engine deposits. Once the engine coolant reaches the design temperature, usually around 195 degrees, the valve will open and close as you drive in order to maintain a coolant temperature typically between 195 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

Thermostat

When to consider replacing the engine cooling system thermostat:

  • Engine overheats. A thermostat with the valve stuck closed is a common cause of engine overheating. However, since there are other causes of overheating, a mechanic will thoroughly inspect the cooling system prior to condemning the thermostat. Since it is usually not known how badly the engine overheated, the mechanic will also try to determine if there is evidence that the cylinder head gasket was blown. If so, it would be repaired prior to replacing the thermostat.
  • Temperature gauge reads too low or too high. Thermostats can get sticky, causing the engine temperature to stray from the optimal range. Your dash-mounted temperature gauge will notify you of this malfunction.
  • Cooling system repairs. All thermostats eventually fail. Therefore, if the cooling system is already open for major repairs, such as water pump or radiator replacement, it is recommended to install a new thermostat simply as insurance against future breakdown.

How do mechanics replace the engine cooling system thermostat?

  • Once the engine is completely cold, the radiator cap is loosened and enough coolant is drained from the radiator so the coolant level is below the thermostat housing.
  • The thermostat housing is removed and the thermostat and gasket are extracted. Note that some cars have more than one cooling system thermostat and both might need replacement.
  • All mounting surfaces on the thermostat housing are cleaned of old gasket material. A new gasket is applied and the thermostat is re-installed in the correct orientation and with the temperature sensing cylinder facing downward towards the engine.
  • The thermostat housing bolts are tightened to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications using a calibrated inch-pound torque wrench.
  • The cooling system is refilled with the appropriate coolant type and the system is fully bled of all air.
  • The car engine is run until the normal operating temperature is reached, and while taking precautions with the hot coolant, the coolant level is rechecked while confirming there is flow through the radiator — either visually or with an infrared temperature gun. This will confirm the thermostat is open. Finally, the engine is checked for leaks.

Is it safe to drive with an engine cooling system thermostat problem?

No. If it has been determined that there is a thermostat problem, it should be repaired right away. Failure to do so can cause substantial and costly damage to the engine.

When replacing the engine cooling system thermostat keep in mind:

  • Engine overheating due to causes other than a faulty thermostat, will themselves damage a thermostat. Therefore, always replace the thermostat if the engine overheats, even if the thermostat was not the initial cause of the overheating.
  • The thermostat should be replaced anytime you have major work done on the coolant system. It is convenient and costs little during such repairs and insurance against future breakdown.
  • OEM thermostats are the best ones to use and you can request your mechanic to install only the OEM thermostat. Dealer supplied, OEM thermostats are sometimes more costly but are generally higher quality and specifically engineered for your car.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Chevrolet mechanics

Real customer reviews from Chevrolet owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(353)

Rating Summary
332
8
5
1
7
332
8
5
1
7

Andrew

5 years of experience
865 reviews
Andrew
5 years of experience
Cavalier 2001 - Brake light is not working - Kansas City, MO
He is a cool guy and I appreciate his service thank you

Andrew

5 years of experience
865 reviews
Andrew
5 years of experience
Cavalier 2001 - Brake Light Bulb - Kansas City, MO
He is a cool guy and I appreciate his service thank you

Larry

15 years of experience
44 reviews
Larry
15 years of experience
Cavalier 2000 - Brake Pads - Loganville, GA
The best

Michael

19 years of experience
168 reviews
Michael
19 years of experience
Cavalier 1998 - Cooling System Flush - Upland, CA
Prompt and excellent service.

Excellent Rating

(353)

Rating Summary
332
8
5
1
7
332
8
5
1
7
Number of Chevrolet Cavalier services completed
3883+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Chevrolet MECHANICS
1700+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

Child Seat Safety Laws in Indiana
Indiana Indiana has laws that mandate the protection of children when they are travelling in motor vehicles. These laws are founded in common sense – children of certain ages are not safe when just using adult safety belts that are...
Windshield Laws in California
If If you drive a vehicle on the roads and highways in California, you have to make sure you follow the laws are requirements to ensure you do so legally. One area in which there are strict requirements is the...
How Long Does an Interior Door Handle Last?
Being Being able to get in and out of a vehicle is only possible when the door handles are working properly. Each of the doors on a car will have two handles, one on the inside and one on the...

Blower motor resistor melted, replaced it turned on blower motor and it melted again in seconds.

The blower motor that is drawing too many amperes will melt the resistor and wiring. Anytime the resistor is melted you should replace the blower along with the resistor and connections that show any heat damage. If you need assistance...

Car won't pass inspection due to various issues with shocks, strut, coil springs. Is it better to get both sides done or only one?

Hi there: Anytime front end components are faulty, they should ALWAYS be replaced in pairs. Example; if you've got a bad driver side strut, the passenger side needs to be replaced as well. The reason for this is safety; and...

Yaw rate sensor problem? 2009 Chevy Impala SS

Hello - "yaw" means the amount of rotation or twist from a vertical axis, or how much your car "leans" to the outside of a curve when cornering. The yaw rate sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-yaw-rate-sensor) provides input to stability control and anti-skid...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com