Greetings All,

A quick question about changing the thermostat on an '02 V6: Is it best to break the 3 hose connections and remove the entire thermostat housing? Or can it be done by leaving the hoses connected and just removing the 2 bolts.

This guide, by Gus, shows the entire housing removed:

JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource


I'm leaning towards doing it in situ, unless somebody's voice of experience says otherwise. I plan to remove the air cleaner and intake tube for better access. The 2 bolts on the thermostat housing don't look like fun, but a ratcheting dogbone should work.

 

Oh well, the whole thing had to come out. One of the bolts refused to budge. Had to clamp the housing in a vise, apply heat, etc. to get that stubborn bolt to break free.

It wasn't hard to undo the three clamps. That's probably the preferred method anyway. It was a lot easier to install the O-ring that way.

 

that was how my mechanic did it also. And I replace the hoses at the same time as a precautionary measure.

 

An update: I got a bad replacement thermostat and had to replace it again. I tried leaving the housing installed. Disassembly was no problem. Reassembly was a headache, trying to hold the O-ring in place. I guess I could have held it with a little grease, but I found it quicker and easier to undo the three clamps and remove the housing.