$300 thermostat ?

[EDSBIRD]

Check engine light came on last week, and since I recently moved, I called the local dealer for an appointment.

When I brought it in, the 'code' said I needed a thermostat. I remember long ago replacing them on other cars myself, the part was about $1. But 'becuase I have the Jaguar engine' the cost was $317 !

Also, do you guys recommend the draining & replacing of the AT fluid at $170 ???

2005 MSB, 33k miles

[Gobird]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

Ed, Check this link. Just had that replaced on mine the other week and total was $285.00.

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ght=thermostat

[Lonestar]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

Dealerships are desperately looking for revenue during these slow car sales times. Under normal driving conditions, as defined in the Owners Manual, trans fluid is not needed to be changed at 33K miles. However, if you have the fluid changed it will not hurt anything but it will not help anything either.

I hope that for $317. for a thermostat replacement they at least also gave you a fresh fill of coolant, properly mixed, and the system was bled of air.

[00mustng]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

.....I'm of the understanding the transmission is a sealed unit.....there is no dipstick....Also if your dealer makes comments like that...try your Lincoln dealer.....

[Lonestar]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

The trans is a sealed unit but you can drop the pan to drain and you fill from a filler port on the trans. I believe the process is to pump trans fluid into the unit until it comes out an overflow port. Due to this pumping requirement one would probably have to depend on a dealership (a LM dealership would probably be better) or a good trans shop who happens to know these transmissions.

[Ediron]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

My L/M dealer told me to forget it .It's good for 100K

[THNDRBRD02]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

The owners manual says 150 thousand for the T Bird tranny.

[Brad]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

Lonestar on my 2002 I tried to get them to change my trans fluid and they told me they didn't have the machine (to pump it out the dipstick) and they suggested I try Jiffylube, but I never ended up doin it. Coincidently 10,000 miles after that I ended up needing the transmission replaced (under warranty)

[EDSBIRD]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

Ed, Check this link. Just had that replaced on mine the other week and total was $285.00.

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ght=thermostat

Spence, I never had a problem with overheating, just the 'check engine' light...oh well, I did my part for the economic stimulus..we need to keep our Ford dealers in business.

[njmiket]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

Our temperature gauge was pegging on our 02. Took it to the dealer and it was replaced on our extended warranty for $50.00. Our warranty runs out in July. if we need to anything lets hope it happens before then. Our mileage is around 24,000. I don't know what it is because I haven't driven it in a while. Susan has driven it for the last 3 days. I may get to drive it in April.

[94mcd]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

Mike, check out the thread on ESP. You can now extend your warranty.

[bkm1053]

Re: $300 thermostat ?

$300 would have been a good deal at my dealership. 2003 TB overheated on Oct. 13, 2009. Took to local dealer, $537.77 to have thermostat replaced, new anti-freeze and a seal!!!!! $56.23 for parts, $25 haz/mat disposal fee and the rest was labor. Car had been out of warranty for 2 months.

Called Lou, 630-925-7590, at a Chicago area Ford dealership the next day for an extended warranty. I figured if the thermostat was $500, I'd have to sell the farm if something serious goes wrong. Great guy, belongs to TBN. Give him a call. See the Extended Warranty thread.