Has anyone done a thermostat replacement on the 7.3l gas engine. I had to replace lower radiator hose and it has two parts so I have had to do both. Got a pin hole in one probably on the farm and running over some brush and caught it just right. The second half the hose was just collapsed so replaced it. My temp is running very low than normal on the idiot gauge not what I am use to seeing. So I suspect at 94k thermostat is sticking out at times. Ford wants like 1200 to do this. Is it really that difficult. Anyone who has done one please tell me that this is not difficult. And any guidance would be great

 

The book pays 2.7 hours and it's like $30 retail in parts for a thermostat and new gasket. The thermostat is right where you'd expect it to be and is held on by two bolts but you're supposed to remove the intake manifold first. You're also supposed to refill the cooling system using a vacuum filler according to the blue oval.

$1200 seems high for 3 hours labor and $30-100 in parts depending on whether they change the coolant at the same time.

 

https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/7...acement.23006/

This guy was able to do it himself without taking off intake manifold. There was also someone on this forum did it and said the back bolt was hard to get to. He said he could only turn the bolt one small turn at a time.
You could find a reputable independent mechanic to change it.

 

One of Fords better ideas...

 

Yep $1200 that with a veteran discount. I as in a jam and lower radiator hose was leaking. I had to have the truck to go haul some goats the next day for kids. But my other day job besides the farm I had some things scheduled I just couldn’t miss. To change that hose assembly and coolant flush was over $800 I almost lost my mind. Because 7 days later the other half of the lower radiator hose began leaking also. I will probably try this thermostat thing myself for the price. I am trying to find away in not having to take off the intake manifold which is why I was asking here. Crazy prices for some labor on simple things at these dealerships. A friends wife paid $85 for a rear windshield wiper blade replacement on her suv. Our local mom n pop part store if you buy the blades he puts them on no questions ask. For ladies and men it’s just what his dad and him have always done.

 

I did mine late last year, tested it after and verified it was sticking open slightly until temps dropped down around 160 causing it to run a little cooler in winter months.

It was a bear getting one of the bolts out.in but I did it without pulling the intake. Used the motorcraft available from Rock auto. Probably took me about an hour all said and done and topping off the coolant.

Many cuss words were said fighting with the one bolt.

 

Sometimes spewing cuss words helps us find solutions to problems... LOL

 

Throwing stuff also, always helps to throw things

 

1/8 turn, flip wrench, 1/8 turn flip wrench, repeat 434,535 times and she’s out. Easy peasy.