Ford Explorer Sport 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

(44)

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

(44)

Car Thermostat Replacement Service

How much does a Car Thermostat Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Ford Explorer Sport Car Thermostat Replacement is $255 with $115 for parts and $140 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2002 Ford Explorer SportV6-4.0LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$385.04Shop/Dealer Price$446.15 - $621.38
2003 Ford Explorer SportV6-4.0LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$376.03Shop/Dealer Price$435.37 - $609.28
2001 Ford Explorer SportV6-4.0LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$381.23Shop/Dealer Price$441.90 - $619.72
Show example Ford Explorer Sport 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 Ford mechanics

Real customer reviews from Ford owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(44)

Rating Summary
43
1
0
0
0
43
1
0
0
0

Alex

23 years of experience
112 reviews
Alex
23 years of experience
Ford Explorer Sport V6-4.0L - Car idle is rough Inspection - Apache Junction, Arizona
Alex was very knowledgeable, and equally helpful. He recognized the issue quickly, and was able to clearly explain it. It was obvious that his priority was helping me, rather than trying to cash in on my misfortune.

Scott

39 years of experience
607 reviews
Scott
39 years of experience
Ford Explorer Sport V6-4.0L - Brake Hose Replacement (Passenger Side Rear) - Commerce City, Colorado
Scott was excellent again we will be having him service all of our vehicles from here on out.

Jeffrey

28 years of experience
870 reviews
Jeffrey
28 years of experience
Ford Explorer Sport V6-4.0L - Valve Cover Gasket - Charlotte, North Carolina
Jeff is freaking AWESOME! Knowledgeable, accurate, FAIR, and PERFECT MANNERS! Takes his time and does the job right! Kept me informed the entire time! My permanent guy!

Nicholas

12 years of experience
691 reviews
Nicholas
12 years of experience
Ford Explorer Sport V6-4.0L - Door Lock Switch Replacement (Driver Side Front) - Raleigh, North Carolina
GREAT

Excellent Rating

(44)

Rating Summary
43
1
0
0
0
43
1
0
0
0
Number of Ford Explorer Sport services completed
484+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Ford MECHANICS
1800+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How to Change a Sway Bar Link
Sway bar links connect the sway bar to the suspension and chassis. Though sway bar links vary in design, the steps for replacing them are similar.
How to Read Tire Size From a Sidewall
You You call around, looking for a price on tires (https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/company/partner/yourmechanic?promoCode=YOURMECHANIC&utm_source=null&utm_medium=referral&partnerId=yourmechanic&partnerName=yourmechanic&retaggingLaunchUrl=%2F%2Fassets.adobedtm.com%2Flaunch-EN786b79de5697438cb1f8839bcd30487c.min.js&floodlightEnabled=true&liveChatEnabled=true&siteName=Goodyear+Tires), or maybe even brakes. The attendant on the phone asks you for your tire size. You have no idea. All you know about your tires is they are black...
The Guide To Colored Curb Zones in Wyoming
Wyoming Wyoming parking laws: understanding the basics Driving is a big responsibility, and people know that they need to pay attention behind the wheel. They need to be careful of their actions, and they have to be aware of the...

How do I delete or edit the contacts in the Uconnect phonebook?

If you are editing a contact, press the Uconnect phone button, which is a telephone symbol on either the center console or the steering wheel. The system will say “Ready” and beep, at which point you should say “Phonebook edit...

Starting issues. My car won't start right away after sitting over night or for a few hours.

When you say that it won't start, are you saying that the starter doesn't turn (aka it doesn't crank), or are you stating that the vehicle attempts to start (or turns over) but fails? These are two different issues. The...

Sometimes when I shift my car's automatic transmission into Drive it stays in neutral. Reverse works and trans fluid is full.

It is very possible that you could have some internal transmission damage. I would recommend enlisting in the assistance of a qualified transmission professional to inspect your transmission for internal faults. I must warn that this could be a pricy...

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