Thermostat Replacement
11/26/2004 Updated 4/14/2007
Updated 4/14/2007: Installed a Turbo City replacement thermostat. Hopefully
will last longer than the Honda replacements.
Here’s what the stock thermostat looks like. If you’re not getting three bars on your temp gauge you probably need yours replaced. Typical symptoms include reduced fuel mileage. Mine dropped about 6 to 8 mpg. Mine didn’t appear to be stuck open. I also tested both the new one and the old one and they both appeared to open and close at the temps they were supposed to. But, after replacement I went on a test ride and immediately got three bars, even cruising in 38F conditions.
You disconnect this hose to drain the radiator.
Disconnect this hose too. Then remove the radiator.
Here’s what you see after removing the radiator. The thermostat is inside the enclosure in the upper middle of this picture.
Here’s what you see after removing the radiator. The thermostat is inside the enclosure in the upper middle of this picture.
I found a loose connection and dripping coolant at the three way junction shown here.