Oldsmobile Delta 88 Car Thermostat Replacement Costs

Car	Service	Estimate	Shop/Dealer Price
1990 Oldsmobile Delta 88V6-3.8L	Service typeCar Thermostat Replacement	Estimate$318.22	Shop/Dealer Price$362.63 - $487.74
1991 Oldsmobile Delta 88V6-3.8L	Service typeCar Thermostat Replacement	Estimate$309.21	Shop/Dealer Price$351.85 - $475.64

Car

Service

Estimate

Shop/Dealer Price

1990 Oldsmobile Delta 88V6-3.8L

Service typeCar Thermostat Replacement

Estimate$318.22

Shop/Dealer Price$362.63 - $487.74

1991 Oldsmobile Delta 88V6-3.8L

Service typeCar Thermostat Replacement

Estimate$309.21

Shop/Dealer Price$351.85 - $475.64

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.

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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Juan

11 years of experience

216 reviews

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by Gregory

Oldsmobile Delta 88 V8-5.7L - Car is not starting - Torrance, California

Juan quickly and methodically identified the issue.

Daniel

10 years of experience

51 reviews

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by Laurence

Oldsmobile Delta 88 V8-5.7L - Starter - Henderson, Nevada

DANIEL IS ABSOULUTELY THE BEST PROFESSIONAL AND RESPECTFUL . COURTEOUS INDIVIDUAL THAT I HAVE MET !!!! HIS DEMEANOR IS UNHEARD OF REGARDING AUTO MECHANICS THAT I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH . THEY USUALLY HAVE NASTY , SHITTY , CONDENCENDING ATTITUDES , AND ARE GENERALLY SCUMBAG ASSHOLES . HIS WORK ON MY VEHICLE WAS PERFECT AND 100 % SATISFACTORY . I HOPE TO GET DANIEL AGAIN THE NEXT TIME I USE YOUR SERVICE . I ALSO HOPE THAT IF I DO NOT , THE NEXT TIME SOON , THERE IS A PERSON LIKE HIM . HOWEVER , I PLAN ON USING ON ALWAYS USING DANIEL , THROUGH YOUR COMPANY . WHAT A GREAT PERSON !!!!!

Kenneth

21 years of experience

870 reviews

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Oldsmobile Delta 88 V8-5.7L - Thermostat Housing Gasket - Torrance, California

Extremely knowledgeable and conscientious. Makes sure the job gets done right!

Aaron

16 years of experience

12 reviews

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by Deadra

Oldsmobile Delta 88 V8-5.0L - Valve Cover Gasket - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Aaron is a chill guy! He showed up on time (literally, to the minute), came prepared, and knew exactly what to do. He finished the job in about an hour and a half, and he told me some other tiny issues that I may need to consider having done in the future. I feel like he didn't BS me like a lot of other mechanics do, and I believe I finally have a decent mechanic here in this city. It's nice having someone who is familiar working on older model cars, and isn't out to just get money. When he was finished, we chatted about cars & music for a bit, and he was off. Good guy, good mechanic!

Oldsmobile Delta 88 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 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Car Thermostat Replacement is $205 with $65 for parts and $140 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

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

When to consider replacing the engine cooling system thermostat:

How do mechanics replace the engine cooling system thermostat?

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

When replacing the engine cooling system thermostat keep in mind:

Meet some of our expert Oldsmobile mechanics

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Juan

Daniel

Kenneth

Aaron

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