Toyota Tacoma 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

(10)

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

(10)

Car Thermostat Replacement Service

How much does a Car Thermostat Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Toyota Tacoma Car Thermostat Replacement is $229 with $89 for parts and $140 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2016 Toyota TacomaV6-3.5LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$911.12Shop/Dealer Price$1093.21 - $1628.93
2006 Toyota TacomaV6-4.0LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$407.01Shop/Dealer Price$470.63 - $656.96
2005 Toyota TacomaL4-2.7LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$332.15Shop/Dealer Price$380.55 - $521.56
2018 Toyota TacomaV6-3.5LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$474.07Shop/Dealer Price$544.09 - $748.30
2002 Toyota TacomaL4-2.7LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$328.85Shop/Dealer Price$377.90 - $517.54
2014 Toyota TacomaL4-2.7LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$326.41Shop/Dealer Price$373.51 - $510.33
2013 Toyota TacomaV6-4.0LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$407.01Shop/Dealer Price$470.67 - $657.04
1999 Toyota TacomaL4-2.7LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$328.85Shop/Dealer Price$376.42 - $514.96
Show example Toyota Tacoma 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 Toyota mechanics

Real customer reviews from Toyota owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(10)

Rating Summary
9
0
0
0
1
9
0
0
0
1

David

10 years of experience
372 reviews
David
10 years of experience
Tacoma 2002 - Thermostat - Canton, GA
Excellent, very friendly, informative and professonal

William

30 years of experience
377 reviews
William
30 years of experience
Tacoma 1997 - Thermostat - Phoenix, AZ
He did an amazing job and was very friendly.

Joel

9 years of experience
58 reviews
Joel
9 years of experience
Tacoma 2010 - Headlight Lens Assembly - Flower Mound, TX
Joel is awesome. I highly recommend him for all your automotive needs.

Colby

13 years of experience
34 reviews
Colby
13 years of experience
Tacoma 2016 - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Denver, CO
was done remotely without problems

Excellent Rating

(10)

Rating Summary
9
0
0
0
1
9
0
0
0
1
Number of Toyota Tacoma Car Thermostat Replacement services completed
110+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Toyota MECHANICS
1700+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How to Buy a Good Quality Brake Light Bulb
Just Just like the light bulbs in the lamps inside your house, bulbs in your car’s lighting system eventually burn out. The brake light bulb is typically the same as the tail light bulb – when you step on the...
5 Essential Things to Know About Remote Starters
Remote Remote starters are great for those frigid mornings when you want to slide into a nice and toasty vehicle for the drive to work. However, before you rush out and purchase one, there are a few things you need...
How Long Does an AC Condenser Fan Last?
The The AC condenser fan in your car works to convert refrigerant into a liquid form. Essentially, it takes heat away from your air conditioning system by delivering air to the condenser. In removing heat from the AC system, it...

What does the electric stability control (ESC) off indicator mean?

The electric stability control (ESC) off indicator is located on the instrument panel. This light is illuminated when the ESC has manually been turned off. Tip The ESC off indicator briefly illuminates when the car is first turned on. The...

Replacing engine mounts

There are at least 4 replaceable mounts on this vehicle covering the engine and transmission. The part numbers vary depending on whether you have a manual or automatic transmission. If you are replacing motor mounts the preferred parts source is...

What happens if you put ow520 oil in a 2011 Chrysler 200?

Hi there- you will likely not notice any difference at all, and it is unlikely to cause any engine damage. The "0" (vs 5) rating has to do with the fluidity of the oil when it is coldest. It will...

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