Oldsmobile Toronado Car Thermostat Replacement at your home or office.

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Car Thermostat Replacement Service

How much does a Car Thermostat Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Oldsmobile Toronado Car Thermostat Replacement is $205 with $65 for parts and $140 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1992 Oldsmobile ToronadoV6-3.8LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$318.26Shop/Dealer Price$362.68 - $487.82
1991 Oldsmobile ToronadoV6-3.8LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$309.25Shop/Dealer Price$351.90 - $475.72
1990 Oldsmobile ToronadoV6-3.8LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$309.21Shop/Dealer Price$351.87 - $475.68
Show example Oldsmobile Toronado 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.

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Damian

12 years of experience
430 reviews
Damian
12 years of experience
Oldsmobile Toronado V8-7.0L - Brake Master Cylinder - Titusville, Florida
I would highly recommend Damian for his knowledge and expertise. He was willing to tackle any problem--even with my 52-year-old car. I have experienced other mechanics who either don't want to be bothered with a more difficult problem--or they simply lack the experience to handle a less frequently encountered situation.

Ben

42 years of experience
1589 reviews
Ben
42 years of experience
Oldsmobile Toronado V6-3.8L - Brakes, Steering and Suspension System - Houston, Texas
Ben is indeed a true professional. He is diligent and not only works to repair your car, he keeps things transparent. His honesty and integrity are appreciated. He also explains things as well. He also is hard working and does not rush. He shows up on time, and stays until the job is completed. Not only that he has all the right tools too.

Diego

22 years of experience
564 reviews
Diego
22 years of experience
Oldsmobile Toronado V8-7.0L - Car is not starting - Glendale, Arizona
Best mechanic I know!

Choeun

16 years of experience
181 reviews
Choeun
16 years of experience
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme V6-3.1L - Thermostat - Modesto, California
For something as scary as auto repair it was very plesant and choeun was extremely professional about it. What turned out to be a simple thermostat replacement ended up being a fix to my throttle body cable, which was on its last few strands. He helped me temporaily repair it for free. Going to use him again for my repairs. Best part was being able to be home while he did all the work in my garage.

Excellent Rating

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Number of Oldsmobile Toronado services completed
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services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Oldsmobile MECHANICS
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