Hello Guys,
I am a newbie who needs some help in finding and replacing 05 TL thermostat. The coolant is overflowing from the reservoir and the car is overheating. The temperature gauge is constantly moving up and down, so I assume the thermostat may be faulty, based on what I read so far. Any help on locating and replacing the thermostat? I looked for pics, but can't find any. Please HELP !!! Thank you


Joe

 

follow the rad hoses

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...stions-949092/

 

If you're facing the engine, It's housed on the right side. There's a cover where the coolant hoses connect. All this stuff is under the intake and throttle body so it's easiest to first remove it.

https://www.acuraoemparts.com/auto-p...ater-pump-scat

Part 7 is the thermostat cover. Part 8 is the water passage where the thermostat is housed and cover is bolted. I'd recommend getting new thermostat gasket (Part 6) to avoid any potential leaking when you replace the thermostat.

 

Thank you so much for your help. I located the spot, but the radiator hoses aren't budging at all, so I have no way of to accessing the rear bottom bolt where the thermostat is housed. Any tips?

 

you removed the pinch clip/clamps right?
after removing the pinch clamps, and hose is still on..take a flat head screwdriver, flat head down and wedge it between the hose and the mouth and pry while pulling on hose. it'll come off

 

yeah, or a small pick or something to just kinda break the seal of corrosion from the hose to the inlet...really though, if you really get a grip on that bitch and wiggle hard and fast, it'll pry off with your bear hands.

 

^so much easier sticking something inbetween the hose and inlet tho. (i couldnt think of the word and called it a mouth )

 

If all else fails, cut it off and buy new ones. They're only about $20. Never hurts to have new hoses.

 

Get OEM. Stant sucks. Well the gasket that comes with it does.

 

Guys, I wiggled the hoses out, but now the rear bottom bolt is not an easy access. I'm probably using the wrong tool to get to it. There's not much space under the cover to get that bolt out. What's the best tool to get it out? Thank you, again, guys.

 

Any tips, guys? I was able to take two bolts off the cover, but the third bold in the rear bottom is not easy to reach. Has anybody here worked on their thermostat before and can share their experiences as far as what tools they used?

 

I vaguely recall using a snap on wrench that pivoted and that helped.

 

a wrench?

 

Yes, I've removed it. I navigated a long 1/4' ratchet extension (two of them actually) from the right side, past all the wiring, and then guided the socket (10mm I believe?) onto the bolt. It's still somewhat crooked but it's enough to get it loose. It's nearly impossible to remove it with a wrench or a ratchet directly, which it looks like you've discovered, unless you were to remove all the wiring which is way too much work.

 

I've just finished watching this video on youtube, and it shows exactly what I'm facing with finding the right tool. So I am going to buy the tools the video recommends. Here's a link to the video:

 

yeah, ratchet...good call, Justin

 

Get an extension set... Thats what i used... I also removed the top of the air box and unhooked it from the throttle body. I removed the battery and tray also....

 

I will try these two extensions today and post an update later. Thank you.

 

remember that one time; i got my ratchet stuck inbetween a bolt and the frame!?

 

LMAO, I know your chest remembers

 

Good point about the bolt.

OP. I also used a magnetic picker upper tool I made out of a fridge magnet.

 

How do you prevent that from happening?

 

get high after you finish your car repair.

 

I was working on either removing the alternator or removing a pulley.
I didn't think ahead. the frame is like 2 inches away from the bolt. I should have used a wrench.(it's flat and can slip in-between small spaces) instead, I used a ratchet with a big socket. as I backed the bolt out, the ratchet got stuck. and I had to drive the bolt FORWARD to get the ratchet unstuck. but that negated all of my work and should have just used the correct tool in the beginning.

 

There may be some minor changes to this since this is for the 4G TL, not 3G. However, it should be very similar. I'd post the 3G but I don't have it.

 

There are only two bolts on the thermostat housing cover...

 

 

A BILLION THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP. I DID IT!!! I replaced the thermostat, bled the system, and took a long spin on the freeway. The Engine check light is gone and the car drives much better now.. THANK YOU, ACURAZINE!!! Besides replacing the power steering pump last month, replacing the thermostat has been my second successful newbie project. I'm feeling GOOD right now. I'm sure there's much more I can do on my own. Per Rockstar143's suggestion, I'm going to get high tonight!!!