Hello everyone,
I'm going to be doing my coolant (2010 honda fit @ 120k miles) and figured I would I do the thermostat at the same time. The parts guy said there is no need, figured I would ask you guys.

Thanks for your thoughts.

-J

 

I'm curious to hear the answer too...

 

Assuming the original is working properly (which can typically be verified by heating it in a pot of water and seeing at what temperature it opens/closes), I seen no reason at all to replace it as preventative maintenance.

 

Definitely replace it!
They are to be changed every 3-4 yrs to be on the safe side.

Yours is way overdue. Especially since it's easy to replace. Make sure to get the OEM one with the rubber gasket that goes around it. Very easy but important job.
If this 20$ part fails in a closed position, you are replacing an engine or changing the cylinder head.
20-30$ of prevention is well worth it.
I replaced it on my dad's 2010 6 months ago.

 

No.

Usually, the only time it is recommended that you replace a working thermostat is when the thermostat is in a hard-to-reach location, and you are going in there anyway to do something else, like a water pump replacement.

 

Hello Everyone,
I decided to change it. Funny story, I read a guide on how to do it and it said that it was under airbox on left side of engine. Perhaps it was for the first gen? because I spent an hour+ pulling off this little coolant reseviour box only to discover the thermostat is right in front of the engine, 5 minute job

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think when most thermostats fail, they're stuck in an open position. My dad has a 2001 Toyota Camry and I had to replace its thermostat once. It was not working properly and I noticed that the engine temperature gauge never got past 1/4 of the way from the cold line. So basically the engine would get just slightly warm because I think the thermostat was stuck open all the time.

 

With a sample size of one, that's been the case in my experience. It made for a very not fun trip one bitter cold new year's. Even with a piece of cardboard blocking the radiator, the engine in the car wasn't warm enough to run very well and the interior was hardly above freezing. I drove with a sleeping bag over my legs.

 

It's funny that the Fit doesn't have a temperature gauge. I guess if I ever need to make a quick check an easy way would be turning on the car's heater and feel the temperature coming from air vent. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

Can you post a picture of where exactly? Did you have to remove anything to get to it?