Thermostat Housing - 3.5L Ti-VCT, 3.7L Ti-VCT: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Use Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolant types degrades the coolant corrosion protection and may damage the engine or cooling system.

Install a new thermostat housing-to-coolant inlet pipe O-ring seal and lubricate it with clean engine coolant.
Install a new thermostat housing gasket, the thermostat housing and the 2 bolts.
Tighten the 2 thermostat housing bolts in 2 stages
- Stage 1: Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.
Connect the 5 coolant hoses to the thermostat housing and position the clamps.
Install the ACL outlet pipe. REFER to INTAKE AIR SYSTEM COMPONENTS - EXPLODED VIEW .
Fill and bleed the cooling system. Refer to COOLING SYSTEM DRAINING, FILLING AND BLEEDING .