Car info: 1998 ES300 with 175,000 miles.

So since I'll be replacing the rear valve cover gaskets, I thought I might as well get some new coolant and replace the radiator hoses, as well as replace all 6 spark plugs. I'm a new owner, so I don't really know what has been replaced before. Should I do the thermostat, since I'm already there? I heard it's a bit of a pain to do, when compared to other cars.. I don't even know where it's hiding.

p.s.: The list just keeps getting longer...smh

 

It definitely can't hurt to go ahead and do it. Preventative maintenance and mechanics will make you and your car very happy.

 

Obviously proper maintenance done correctly will cause you no problems - only you can determine what needs to be done. Modern hoses are very longed lived -- your car my have had things replaced -- only you can tell.

We normally replace older hoses if we have to remove them for another service or if we feel they look like they need to be done.

The OE Toyota parts are of very high quality. I'm not sure what the hoses even cost. Make sure you use the correct coolant for the car. If it looks like the incorrect coolant has been installed in the car I would be more inclined to replace the thermostat. We have never replaced one in the many we have.

Same goes for the belts -- inspect them. The Toyota belts are high quality and fit.

The one item that we don't get OE is the cabin filter - Toyota wants $35.00 for it and the aftermarket is like $13.00

 

Thermostat can usually run a long time. Only time I changed it out was about 6 years ago and went to a low-temp TRD T-stat at that time in conjunction with a Tom's Radiator Cap (TRD makes them, too). It's actually not on the side of the water pump, but on the driver's side of the engine block.

 

Okay, I think I'll just ignore it for now then.

yeldogt, you said to make sure that the coolant is the correct type. Is it supposed to be red, because that's what I have.

edit: Actually, I think I'll do the thermostat since I'm already there. I rather have a new one, than worry about my old one crapping out on me down the road.

 

Yes the coolant is a red color -- Toyota sell two types of coolant the type for the older cars is a concentrate that you mix with distilled water 50/50 and the one for the post 03 cars is premixed. The latter is more of a pink if memory is correct.

The one for your car is about $20.00

Personally, I would rather have an old woking OE thermostat than a new aftermaket one -- it's one of those little critical parts that I don't mess with aftermarket. You may need a gasket also

 

I will be using an OEM thermostat from Toyota/Lexus

 

Unless you are going to modify a lot of other stuff, also best just to keep OEM.

 

I decided not to do it, I figured - if it works, don't fix it. I'll just keep the one I have as a spare, it was only around $30 bucks anyway.

 

oreilly's has cheap good thermostats in the range of 5-6$ for most cars, and the gaskets