Inspection After Removal: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Nissan Sentra. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Place a string so that it is caught in the valve of the thermostat (or water control valve) and suspend it in boiling water. It must be fully immersed in the water.

Fig 1: Determining Valve Opening Temperature & Measuring Lift
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
The valve opening temperature is the temperature at which the valve plate begins to rise from the top plate causing the thermostat to fall off of the string.

NOTE: The full-open lift amount standard temperature for the thermostat (water control valve) is the reference value.

Continue heating the water and thermostat to check the full-open valve lift distance.
After checking the full-open lift amount, lower the water temperature and check the valve closing temperature.