Where is the thermostat? Is it difficult to replace?

25

Asked by rgulack Apr 20, 2007 at 09:29 PM about the 2004 Dodge Dakota SLT Quad Cab RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Can't find a manual on it or any type of helpful info on the web.  Does anyone have any experience with changing the thermostat on a 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup with a V8?

6 Answers

7,365

The thermostat is on the front of the engine on top. Follow the upper radiator hose to it. Disconnect the upper hose from that point. Remove the 2 bolts, remove the t-stat housing. Take out the t-stat and gasket. Clean all surfaces with a wire brush and install new t-stat/gasket

15 people found this helpful.
10

This helped alot! Thanks. No for a really dum question. Is the drain plug to empty out the coolant located at the bottom of the radiator?

1 people found this helpful.
8,425

There is a drain plug but it breaks rather easily, your better off to just pull off the lower rad hose. Also you don't need to drain all the coolant....just enough so that it's below the level of the thermostat

6 people found this helpful.
110

I take it that it is behind the alt. and it needs to be remove in order to accomplish this task

11 people found this helpful.
20

It was not helpful didnt show where the thermostat was or how to get to it

2 people found this helpful.
10

On my '04 Dakota 4.7, the thermostat housing is where the bottom radiator hose enters the block. Supposed to be two 8mm bolts, but the .....mechanic that worked on it a couple years ago buggered the bottom bolt and joe mcgeed a thru bolt/nut config. It worked , but was a pain to figure out this time. Actually, a pretty easy job to access and remove the thermostat. Just pull off the top overflow tank, (one 10mm each side) and disconnect both upper and lower hoses. Gives a straight shot to the thermostat. Also, I don't know why but there was no gasket on the joint when I initially removed it. After I finally got it all back together, sans gasket, it leaked. I'll pull it off tomorrow and figure some kind of gasket for it. That's actually why I got onto this site, to ask if a gasket was required or intentionally not supposed to be installed.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Dakota

Looking for a Used Dakota in your area?

CarGurus has 484 nationwide Dakota listings starting at $625.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2004 Dodge Dakota

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Samantha Brown
    Reputation
    3,150
  • #2
    98DAK
    Reputation
    3,130
  • #3
    havoc_33
    Reputation
    2,120
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Dodge RAM 1500
90 Great Deals out of 1,537 listings starting at $1,100
Used Ford F-150
6,024 Great Deals out of 128,250 listings starting at $1,100
Used Ford Ranger
551 Great Deals out of 10,966 listings starting at $1,250
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,078 Great Deals out of 130,459 listings starting at $1,000
Used Toyota Tacoma
1,906 Great Deals out of 30,714 listings starting at $3,500
Used Chevrolet Colorado
864 Great Deals out of 22,204 listings starting at $975
Used Dodge Durango
757 Great Deals out of 20,429 listings starting at $550
Used Nissan Frontier
705 Great Deals out of 22,709 listings starting at $1,750
Used GMC Canyon
331 Great Deals out of 10,355 listings starting at $3,400
Used GMC Sierra 1500
1,880 Great Deals out of 64,535 listings starting at $3,000
Used Toyota Tundra
1,051 Great Deals out of 32,200 listings starting at $3,599

Used Cars For Sale

2007 Dodge Dakota SLT Quad Cab RWD For Sale
7 listings starting at $7,495
2006 Dodge Dakota SLT Quad Cab RWD For Sale
17 listings starting at $4,800

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.