How to change thermostat on 2001 rav4

Remove the thermostat housing. Replace the thermostat. Replace the gasket and reinstall the housing. Top up the antifreeze.

Try the thermostat. Very common on these models.

Hi,

This is called the water pump weep passage which is a sign that your seal in the water pump has failed.

You need to replace the water pump.

Buy a thermostat, a thermostat gasket, and some blue sealant (RTV) from any auto parts store. On the driver side of the engine, there is a radiator hose that connects to the engine just under the wires for the spark plugs. There are two bolts. Remove the bolts and pull off the hose. Some coolant will leak. Remove the old thermostat and gasket. Note how the thermostat is oriented so you can replace the same way. Put the gasket and thermostat back using some of the sealant and then re install the bolts. Total cost is around 15-20 dollars. Feel good that you saved a few hundred bucks and only takes about 20-30 minutes.

Here's a link to a video on how to repalce the thermostat...it should give you what you need.
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-change-a-car-thermostat-226055/

thermostat is located where top rad hose connects to engine,in fact hose is connected to thermostat housing!

the thermostat is located where the upper radator hose comes off the engine there are two bolts or nuts remove hose and remove housing you will see the thermostat when you do clean old gasket material off block and reverse removal procedure

You will need to Change the Water Pump. It is still pumping, Just not enough to get the Thermostat to Open.

IT IS GOING TO BE BASICALLY UNDER THROTTLE BODY. WILL BE THREE BOLTS HOLDING HOUSING ON

the thermostat is on the front right side just below the air tube (which you have to remove) in a black hard plastic case. It is a PAIN IN THE ARSE to get to, it will have 2 sensors sticking out of it, on on the bottom, one on the side.