Mercedes-Benz R550 Car Thermostat Replacement at your home or office.

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Car Thermostat Replacement Service

How much does a Car Thermostat Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Mercedes-Benz R550 Car Thermostat Replacement is $469 with $217 for parts and $252 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2008 Mercedes-Benz R550V8-5.5LService typeCar Thermostat ReplacementEstimate$712.94Shop/Dealer Price$832.77 - $1166.73
Show example Mercedes-Benz R550 Car Thermostat Replacement prices

What is an engine cooling system thermostat and how does it work?

The car's engine cooling system thermostat is a small valve within a cooling system passageway that opens and closes in response to the temperature of the circulating engine coolant. When your car is first started and the coolant is cold, the valve in the thermostat will be in the closed position, circulating the coolant flow only within the engine instead of flowing to the radiator, which allows the engine to warm up fast, promoting fuel efficiency, low emissions, and reduced engine deposits. Once the engine coolant reaches the design temperature, usually around 195 degrees, the valve will open and close as you drive in order to maintain a coolant temperature typically between 195 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

Thermostat

When to consider replacing the engine cooling system thermostat:

  • Engine overheats. A thermostat with the valve stuck closed is a common cause of engine overheating. However, since there are other causes of overheating, a mechanic will thoroughly inspect the cooling system prior to condemning the thermostat. Since it is usually not known how badly the engine overheated, the mechanic will also try to determine if there is evidence that the cylinder head gasket was blown. If so, it would be repaired prior to replacing the thermostat.
  • Temperature gauge reads too low or too high. Thermostats can get sticky, causing the engine temperature to stray from the optimal range. Your dash-mounted temperature gauge will notify you of this malfunction.
  • Cooling system repairs. All thermostats eventually fail. Therefore, if the cooling system is already open for major repairs, such as water pump or radiator replacement, it is recommended to install a new thermostat simply as insurance against future breakdown.

How do mechanics replace the engine cooling system thermostat?

  • Once the engine is completely cold, the radiator cap is loosened and enough coolant is drained from the radiator so the coolant level is below the thermostat housing.
  • The thermostat housing is removed and the thermostat and gasket are extracted. Note that some cars have more than one cooling system thermostat and both might need replacement.
  • All mounting surfaces on the thermostat housing are cleaned of old gasket material. A new gasket is applied and the thermostat is re-installed in the correct orientation and with the temperature sensing cylinder facing downward towards the engine.
  • The thermostat housing bolts are tightened to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications using a calibrated inch-pound torque wrench.
  • The cooling system is refilled with the appropriate coolant type and the system is fully bled of all air.
  • The car engine is run until the normal operating temperature is reached, and while taking precautions with the hot coolant, the coolant level is rechecked while confirming there is flow through the radiator — either visually or with an infrared temperature gun. This will confirm the thermostat is open. Finally, the engine is checked for leaks.

Is it safe to drive with an engine cooling system thermostat problem?

No. If it has been determined that there is a thermostat problem, it should be repaired right away. Failure to do so can cause substantial and costly damage to the engine.

When replacing the engine cooling system thermostat keep in mind:

  • Engine overheating due to causes other than a faulty thermostat, will themselves damage a thermostat. Therefore, always replace the thermostat if the engine overheats, even if the thermostat was not the initial cause of the overheating.
  • The thermostat should be replaced anytime you have major work done on the coolant system. It is convenient and costs little during such repairs and insurance against future breakdown.
  • OEM thermostats are the best ones to use and you can request your mechanic to install only the OEM thermostat. Dealer supplied, OEM thermostats are sometimes more costly but are generally higher quality and specifically engineered for your car.

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Meet some of our expert Mercedes-Benz mechanics

Real customer reviews from Mercedes-Benz owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(70)

Rating Summary
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Chris

23 years of experience
2372 reviews
Chris
23 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz ML550 V8-5.5L - Car Thermostat Replacement - Dana Point, California
Actually showed up early which was awesome. Performed the service on time and clean. Thanks Chris

Donald

41 years of experience
124 reviews
Donald
41 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz CLK350 V6-3.5L - Thermostat - Atlanta, Georgia
He came in right on time and has done the job very patiently and he was thorough with it. He replaced pulley belt for free which was torn when he was putting it back. I would recommend him for a job.

Rodney

37 years of experience
611 reviews
Rodney
37 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz C300 V6-3.0L - Car Thermostat Replacement - Folsom, California
The best help for a little price ,Rodney helped me save a lot of money ( half the cost of what dealer would charge ) but twice the service than provided by dealer . I am very pleased by Rodney's services , he is very knowledgeable and did a great job .

Glenn

20 years of experience
86 reviews
Glenn
20 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz R350 V6-3.5L - Thermostat - Arlington, Virginia
Experience was perfect. Glenn arrived ahead of schedule, and finished early. Was polite, thorough, and focused. Results have been money well-spent so far. Process of setting up appointment, etc, online is a breeze, too.

Excellent Rating

(70)

Rating Summary
66
2
0
0
2
66
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Number of Mercedes-Benz Car Thermostat Replacement services completed
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