A car's thermostat helps regulate the temperature in the engine; and when it malfunctions, it can cause the engine to run hot and overheat. The process for removing a thermostat and replacing it in a 1987 Buick LeSabre is similar to that for most cars. Once the thermostat is replaced, the car should no longer overheat, and the temperature should be regulated.
Tools Used: Drain pan, Adjustable wrench, Paint scraper, Gasket, Coolant
Install Thermostat
Open the hood of your Buick LeSabre and follow the radiator hose to where it connects to the engine. The place where the two connect contains the thermostat. Place a drain pan under the drain plug of the radiator and turn the petcock to drain the coolant.
Use an adjustable wrench to remove the two bolts on the thermostat housing. Open the gasket housing to access the thermostat and the gasket. There is nothing holding the thermostat in, so you can just grab it and pull it out. Use a paint scraper to clean up any remaining gasket material.
Place the new thermostat and gasket in the same spot where the old ones were and bolt the housing back into place with the wrench. Fill the coolant to the appropriate level in the radiator.
Turn on the LeSabre and let it idle for a little while, keeping an eye on the temperature gauge. If the thermostat was installed correctly, the temperature should be within normal limits. If not, the car will overheat. Take the LeSabre out for a drive to make sure the temperature stays regulated while driving.
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