Jeep Laredos have thermostat valves in their coolant systems that control the flow of coolant through the engine. The coolant only circulates when the engine's internal temperature reaches around 210 degrees F. At that point, the thermostat opens and coolant circulates through the engine to maintain the set running temperature. When thermostats fail, they need to be replaced to avoid damaging the engine. Changing a Jeep Laredo thermostat is not hard, and can be completed by any home mechanic.
Instructions
1. Locate the drainplug on the bottom of the radiator. Unscrew it using the socket wrenches and allow the coolant to drain out into a waste container.
2. Unscrew the radiator cap and locate the thermostat underneath. Twist the thermostat counterclockwise and pull upward to remove it. Place the new thermostat in the radiator, tighten it down and replace the cap. Refill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant.
3. Start the car up and allow it to heat to 210 degrees F. Determine if the car is running properly by observing the in-dash temperature gauges.
Tips Warnings
If the gauges indicate the Jeep is overheating, shut the engine down immediately and try reinstalling the thermostat again. It is possible that the valve was simply misaligned and would not open.
