Hello, i amtempted to replace the t-stat today on my 92 explorer but it seems difficult, i got the top bolt off but i could not get at the one on the bottom or by the alternator is there something i have to take off or what. And if its that belt tensioner is it hard to put back on and will the serpintine belt fall off...SOMEONE HELP

 

Take the serpentine belt off. Once you do that, the tensioner will automatically move out of the way, and it will be easier to get to the other 2 bolts. You don't need to take the tensioner off the motor, just take the belt off the AC pulley. Also, don't forget to replace the O-ring gasket for the thermostat. Most new therms don't come with the gasket, you have to purchase it seperately.

 

THANKS marragtop.......... But after fooling with it a little bit found a better way i just finished and i realized you left this post but for anyone who has to replace the t-stat on a 91-94 explorer heres the ez way to do it.....First you want to remove the plastice piece on the top of the engine that say 4.0L two screws, then you want to take the intake manifold off the black tube that says caution fan, there is a clamp unter the 4.0L plastic piece and one on the air box (you can skip this step is you can get a wrench in there just gives you a little more room) You need a 1/4 inch drive, 10mm flexiable socket (12 or 6 point either will work) a 10mm non flexable socket (12 or 6 point) and a 1.5 inch extension. the bolt on top and the bolt on the bottom of the driver side are real ez, and using the 1.5" extension allows you not to have to remove the belt. Then the tough bolt on the passener side...theres a wire that goes right over the bolt it its tough to get your socket it there (1/4" is the only siz that will fit 3/4" will not i tryed it)dont try to move the wire because you will be there forever, just start the socket on top of the wire and push it in a little then just push down and in until you get it onto the bolt (it will probally take a few trys and you might need a magnet to get the socket out becuase they tend to fall of the drive) then loosen (make sure you loosen the passenger side bolt all the way with the ratchet because you wont get your fingers in there to turn it) (you dont need to removet the upper radiator hose that that goes to the metal piece that connects to the engine you have enough room) IF it does not come loose tap it with a hammer and you will see the thermostat in the engine pull it out. Put your new gaskett around the new thermostat and put it into the engine (the spring side you be in the engine or the bigger part) then make sure you have the bolt on the passenger side in the hole the other two you dont need to unless you want to put it over the t-stat, and tighten the two bolts on the driver side, now for the hard part after you have tightened the two bolts go the the 3rd one on the passenger side, dont waste your time trying to tighten it with your fingers you will be there all day, but take your finger and push the bolt into the how so its poiting straight out, now take the solid socket with the 1.5" extension, and start to tighten the bolt, once it does not reach take the flexable one and tighten it the rest of the way, then fill with coolent and start the engine with the heat on high leave the cap off and let all the air bubble come out when it starts to over flow put the cap back on then let the engine cool or next time the engine is cold re check the coolent and fill it if needed.....total time no more than 1 hour depening on how mucn trouble you have with the last bolt and you did not have to remove the belt and worry about it being routed and tensioned right....this is a really ez fix that you can do your self in your driveway GOOD LUCK TO ALL

 

Glad to hear you got it done. You are correct, in that you need to remove the air intake assembly. Regarding the wire you talked about, what I did was cut the wire tie from underneath, and that gave me enough play to move the wire out of the way. Install a new wire tie when done, and you're good to go.

Mike

 

I tryed messing with that wire last night could not get it out of the way....so posted on this site, then today i went to sears and bought a 1/4" drive set and bought the 10mil flexable head seperatly, i had another set not from sears and broke it......my 3/4 was too big.......but i had the stat out in 30 min this after noon, now the explorer is running warming the way it should, the stat that was in there looked pretty new it was a motorcraft stat, there was not corrosion or anyting and the gasket was stll in tackt.......Also i learned that when the temp is normal in the summer and cold in the winter its called a "lazy thermostat"