I must be a dummy - how do you get the thermostat out?

[Lou_F]

Mercruiser 3.0 Liter, 2008. I removed the thermostat cover. I can see the thermostat but there is what looks like a plastic ring holding it down. I tried removing the ring, but it looks almost like it is pressed in. What am I missing here? The book only says remove the cover then remove the thermostat.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: I must be a dummy - how do you get the thermostat out?

Are you sure that ring is not the housing gasket still stuck to the block? Just grab the thermostat and pull on it gradually increasing the amount of force. If it is the housing gasket, it can make it difficult to remove. You may have to scrape away the gasket, remove the thermostat and then clean the block surface before putting a new on back...

 

[Lou_F]

Re: I must be a dummy - how do you get the thermostat out?

Are you sure that ring is not the housing gasket still stuck to the block? Just grab the thermostat and pull on it gradually increasing the amount of force. If it is the housing gasket, it can make it difficult to remove. You may have to scrape away the gasket, remove the thermostat and then clean the block surface before putting a new on back...

No, the ring is a white plastic piece about 1/8" thick, that is sitting on the thermostat. It appears the ring has to come out before the thermostat can. It also has cutouts in the side that match the openings of the housing.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: I must be a dummy - how do you get the thermostat out?

I have seen thermostats that have a plastic ring molded around them. Sounds like this is similar. The block and houseing are milled to take this plastic ring at very close tollerances, and it helps prevent leaks or misallingments of the thermostat. It is just really tight. If you need to, put a screwdriver through the top of the thermostat and pry it up...