98 Voyager 3.0 liter V6 Thermostat Replacement?

Question

How hard is it to replace the thermostat on a 98 Voyager with the 3.0 liter Mitsubishi V6?

We've had some really cold weather on the east coast the past few days and I noticed that the temperature gauge in my wife's Vger is only going up 1/4 the way, even on the highway. In the summer, the temp gauge would head up about half way.

I'm thinking I have a defective thermostat, which also could explain the poor gas mileage the minivan has gotten for some time, asssuming it's not getting up to proper operating temperature. The vehicle also takes a long time to warm up - more so than it used to.

I haven't looked under the hood yet to see where the thermostat is located to see if this is a job I can do myself. If it's behind the timing belt cover, I may bite the bullet and pay to have someone do it, but if it's an easy job, I'd like the challenge.

maxpower · Accepted Answer

very easy to replace, you may as well flush the system too, drain thepetcock, remove the housing and clean off the old gasket, reassemble. makesure as you are filling it up you get the air out of the system while theengine is running

Zebra · Answer

Thanks for the reply - looking in my Haynes manual, it does notmention the 3.0 as an engine which requires "bleeding" to get the airout.  Yet the Chiltons does... (go figure).  Looks like it should befairly straight-forward.  Wish me luck!

howard · Answer

==============================================Here comes the "detractors" of Haynes and the like.HNYh

Zebra · Answer

I don't usually need a manual, but like to have one for reference.Often times those manuals are quite generic and don't give me theexact stuff I am looking for when tackling a repair.  The oldcarpenter's saying "measure twice and cut once" comes to mind...forewarned is forearmed... I'll be quiet now.  (grin!)

Treeline · Answer

I replaced the thermostat on my 3.0 Voyager. You might want to spend the money for the original Mitsubishi part from the dealer. It's about $20 versus 3rd party for $6-$10 but it is made a little better and less likely to stick. I don't want to replace this again and it did seem to work a little smoother than the Slant or 3rd party thermostats.

It's not hard, although I was careful and took me almost 2 hours. I am sure it can be done in 30 minutes but I did not want anything to fall into the engine. Just take off one of the radiator hoses and voila, sits on the front of the engine, so very accessible leaning over the front of the engine compartment.

I also replaced the hose at the same time, figuring why not. Not have to worry much about bleeding, just made sure not much air was getting in. Also check the engine codes and sure enough it was the thermostat.

Zebra · Answer

Thanks for the insight - I thought about getting a dealer part as wellas I do not mind spending more for a quality part.

Zebra · Answer

Hmmm... $30 for the dealer part.  Hope to pop it in tomorrow when itwarms up a little.

Zebra · Answer

Thanks for everyone's help - it was a pretty easy job. The old thermostat was stuck slightly open - I could see light thru the sealing surfaces. The new 'stat gets the temp up to half-way on the gauge whereas the old one only went up 1/4. The proof will be in the colder weather to come and also to see if we get better MPG now. I suspect we should as the car was running too cold.

Thanks again!

98 Voyager 3.0 liter V6 Thermostat Replacement?

Join the Discussion

Didn't find your answer?