Mercedes-Benz ML430 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

(33)

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

(33)

Car Thermostat Replacement Service

How much does a Car Thermostat Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Mercedes-Benz ML430 Car Thermostat Replacement is $370 with $118 for parts and $252 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430V8-4.3LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$523.10Shop/Dealer Price$595.47 - $787.05
2000 Mercedes-Benz ML430V8-4.3LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$497.96Shop/Dealer Price$562.53 - $743.25
1999 Mercedes-Benz ML430V8-4.3LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$506.88Shop/Dealer Price$573.76 - $761.23
Show example Mercedes-Benz ML430 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 Mercedes-Benz mechanics

Real customer reviews from Mercedes-Benz owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(33)

Rating Summary
33
0
0
0
0
33
0
0
0
0

Richard

36 years of experience
104 reviews
Richard
36 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz ML430 V8-4.3L - Water Pump - Tampa, Florida
Took his time check the work. He did a great job

Kyle

13 years of experience
137 reviews
Kyle
13 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz ML430 V8-4.3L - Serpentine/Drive Belt - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Great experience.

Alan

21 years of experience
44 reviews
Alan
21 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz ML430 V8-4.3L - Crankshaft Position Sensor - Indianapolis, Indiana
Alan was great. Showed up ahead of scedule. Completed the job, and then jumped my battery, and performed engine check. Very satisfied customer, plan to use service again. Truck runs great! Thanks, Kerry

Ira

49 years of experience
283 reviews
Ira
49 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz ML430 V8-4.3L - Serpentine/Drive Belt - Sun City Center, Florida
excellent

Excellent Rating

(33)

Rating Summary
33
0
0
0
0
33
0
0
0
0
Number of Mercedes-Benz ML430 services completed
363+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Mercedes-Benz MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

P0083 OBD-II Trouble Code: Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High (Bank 2)
P0083 P0083 code definition P0083 is a general OBD-II code indicating a issue with bank 2 intake valve control solenoid. This code may be seen with P0081 and P0082. The vehicle also has a bank 1 valve control solenoid. What...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Switch
Common signs include a rough engine idle, the Check Engine Light coming on, and the engine stumbling when climbing hills or under load.
How Long Do the Timing Gears Last?
The The timing gears work with the timing belt and chains in the engine to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly. The gears are connected to the crankshaft at one end and the camshaft at the other end. They have small...

Car not getting fuel

Not enough fuel at start up can be a possibility. This could be caused by damaged fuel lines, failing fuel pump, or even a clogged fuel filter or clogged injectors. The vehicle also won't start if there isn't enough air...

Smoke from my exhaust while I am driving down the road

Hey there. Valve stem oil seals (in the cylinder heads) do not last forever and their failure is a possible cause, or contributing cause, to oil getting into the combustion chambers and then burning. Of course, it is also possible...

What would be the best type of full synthetic oil and filter to replace in my truck?

The type of oil that should be used for a specific application depends largely on the driver's driving habits, the environment in which the car is driven, the mileage on the car's engine and the limits that the engine may...

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