OEM 2000 Toyota Tacoma Thermostat

2000 Toyota Tacoma Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to service and repair a thermostat on 2000 Toyota Tacoma?

  A: A service or repair of the thermostat starts with draining the engine coolant and disconnecting the lower radiator hose. The service requires removal of 2 nuts that unfasten the water inlet and built-in thermostat from the water pump while extracting the thermostat gasket. First verify the thermostat by putting it in water while heating the liquid slowly to ensure that it opens at 80 - 84 degrees Celsius (176 - 183 degrees Fahrenheit) but no replacement is needed if it meets this standard. The valve opening lift of the thermostat needs to measure at least 8 mm (0.31 inch) when the thermostat reaches 95 degrees Celsius (203 degrees Fahrenheit). If this opening measurement fails to meet the requirement you should replace the thermostat. Checks on the valve need to be done for total closure under low temperature conditions (less than 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit)); non-closure indicates the thermostat requires replacement. To install the new thermostat first apply a new gasket before aligning the jiggle valve next to the protrusion from the water inlet housing before inserting the thermostat. Thread the 2 nuts to install the water inlet so its top mark will face upward while setting torque to 20 Nm (200 kgf-cm, 15 ft. lbs.). Attach the lower radiator hose after adding engine coolant into the system while the engine runs to check for fluid leakage.