Saturn L100 Car Thermostat Replacement Costs

Car	Service	Estimate	Shop/Dealer Price
2002 Saturn L100L4-2.2L	Service typeCar Thermostat Replacement	Estimate$409.52	Shop/Dealer Price$462.69 - $610.86
2001 Saturn L100L4-2.2L	Service typeCar Thermostat Replacement	Estimate$396.91	Shop/Dealer Price$447.60 - $593.92

Car

Service

Estimate

Shop/Dealer Price

2002 Saturn L100L4-2.2L

Service typeCar Thermostat Replacement

Estimate$409.52

Shop/Dealer Price$462.69 - $610.86

2001 Saturn L100L4-2.2L

Service typeCar Thermostat Replacement

Estimate$396.91

Shop/Dealer Price$447.60 - $593.92

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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Jeff

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by ken

Saturn L100 L4-2.2L - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Passenger Side Front) - Sacramento, California

Jeff was on time, did a great job and finished earlier than expected. This guy comes with a big van with every tool on the planet. I will be calling Your Mechanic in future. Thanks for an excellent job at a very reasonable price.

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Saturn L100 L4-2.2L - Brake Drum - Mission Viejo, California

Very pleased with the service and ease of use. Manuel was on time and pleasant to work with. He kept me informed throughout the process and showed me what would be replaced with new parts. After test driving the vehicle, he recommended future service. I would definitely recommend him to anyone.

Saturn L100 L4-2.2L - Tie Rod End Replacement (Front Left Outer, Front Right Outer) - Mission Viejo, California

Manuel is always on time and professional. He does honest, quality work in a timely manner. He will also let you know if something else needs to be looked into. Highly recommended.

Ian

16 years of experience

133 reviews

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by Mike

Saturn L100 L4-2.2L - Cooling System Flush - Edmonds, Washington

Ian showed up early, which was great, (beat the rain). He was very nice, asked if I had any concerns or issues. I told him why I had him come out and he suggested a quick test. Everything was fine, he did the flush. He did an inspection. All looked good. I would recommend Ian to anyone needing service. It's really nice to be able to actually talk with the mechanic instead of just somebody behind a desk. I plan to call Ian for future work if/when needed. Thank You Ian!

Saturn L100 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 Saturn L100 Car Thermostat Replacement is $292 with $96 for parts and $196 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:

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