How do i change the thermostat on a 98 lincon continental

4.6L Engines

1. Drain the cooling system to a level below the thermostat.
   

CAUTION Never open, service, or drain the radiator or cooling system when hot; serious burns can occur from the steam and hot coolant. In addition, when draining engine coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are attracted to ethylene glycol antifreeze and could drink any that is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove fatal in sufficient quantities. Always drain coolant into a sealable container. Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or is several years old.

1. Disconnect the upper radiator hose at the thermostat housing.
   
2. Remove the two thermostat-housing retaining bolts and remove the thermostat housing.
   
3. Remove the thermostat and O-ring seal. Inspect the O-ring for damage and replace, as necessary.
   

To install:

1. Make sure all mating surfaces are clean.
   
2. Install the thermostat, O-ring, and thermostat housing. Make sure the thermostat is positioned as shown in the figure.
   
3. Install and alternately tighten the thermostat housing retaining bolts to 15–22 ft. lbs. (20–30 Nm). Connect the upper radiator hose.
   
4. Fill the cooling system
   

Thermostat installation—4.6L engine

1998 lincoln continental needs to have air purged from coolant system when refilling. You fill in two places the plastic reservoir and you will see a round metalplug on metal tube that the hose from radiator goes to.It's right next to plastic reservoir.You need to use a 1/4 inch ratchet to remove.You may end up braking 1/4inch ratchet so I use vise scrips.Make sure vise grips are on the plug only.Fill the metal tube where you removed plug from and the reservoir.Start car with heateron max high.Some coolant may burb out thats due to the air in system.When t-stat opens you will see coolant running like a stream or river inside the metaltube.When you get heat full force from your vents let it go for another minute or two.Then shut car off let her cooldown,top coolant off and replace plug and reservoir cap.Restart car with heat still on max if she blows hot air from vents you are done if not you didn't get all air out and you have to repeat process.Good Luck. Love my Continental but hate working on it.Let me know how you make out. [email protected]

On my 1998 Lincoln continental the thermostat is on the bottom of the motor...easiest access is from the bottom. If you took the picture above and flipped it upside down that would be how it is set up on my motor. I took my thermostat off and did not pay attention to where the o ring went. The thermostat housing has a cone shape to it. it would fit inside the mount on the motor. I want to make sure the o ring goes in the same order on mine. Because I was looking for a leak and flushing the motor i did not installt the thermostat. will it hurt anything to run it without the thermosat?

In additional to SOLUTION #1,I also recommend you to do the air purge while you filling up you car with 50/50 coolant mix

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READ more FREE information below before you start the job.

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The textbook method is to remove the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator.

Most drain plug is make of inexpensive nylon/plastic and it may fall apart while you turn it.

The professional method is to loosen the lower radiator clamp and drop to lower radiator hose.

Drain the coolant onto a large drain pan and recycle the coolant

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I just did a FREE write up on air purge from coolant system and how to detect initial state of blown head gasket at the Fixya tip selection.

Click HERE

or follow link below.

http://www.fixya.com/cars/r3582329-how_to_inspectdiagnose_and_repair_minor_