[rockydfw]

Hi All,
Please help on my question on 2001 rav4
- 01 thermostat : stuck OPEN or stuck CLOSED
- I could not find on maintenance schedule when it need to replace?

Thanks for advise
Rocky

 

[seilerts]

Stuck open: vehicle never warms up
Stuck closed: vehicle overheats

Replacement interval: only if it sticks open or sticks closed. Some people replace the thermostat when they are in replacing the water pump.

 

[rockydfw]

I have heard someone said that it used to stuck at closed position, but latest to design so it stuck at open position to prevent overheat.

 

[BikerJay]

The thermostat is not that easy to get at, since you have to remove the serpentine belt and the alternator to get at it. If I were going to the trouble I would probably just replace it. I know when i flushed the coolant in my 2004 it was not 100% because I did not remove the thermostat.

 

[BAZRAV4]

Are there any DIY instructions on replacing the thermostat in the 4.2? Cheers.