The thermostat on a 2014 Town and Country is located in the engine’s thermostat housing, where the upper radiator hose attaches. On the common 3.6L Pentastar engine used in many 2014 Town and Country models, the housing sits at the front of the engine, just above the water pump, and is accessible from the top once you’ve removed the engine cover or related intake components.
How the engine layout affects thermostat location
Chrysler’s 2014 Town and Country lineup mainly relies on a 3.6L Pentastar V6, with some earlier variants offering other V6 options. Regardless of the exact configuration, the thermostat is not buried deep inside the block. It sits in a housing mounted to the engine, with the upper radiator hose feeding into it. The precise position can vary slightly by engine variant, but the general rule is to follow the big hose from the radiator to find the thermostat housing first.
Where to look on the engine
To visually locate the thermostat housing on the 2014 Town and Country, look for the large radiator upper hose that runs toward the engine. The point where this hose terminates into a plastic or metal housing attached to the engine is the thermostat housing. On the 3.6L Pentastar, this housing is typically on the front of the engine, near the water pump, and may be partially obscured by the engine cover or air intake duct.
Before you begin inspecting, ensure the engine is cool to avoid scalding from hot coolant. If you need to access the housing, you may have to remove the engine cover or an intake duct to get a clear view of the thermostat area.
Below are practical steps to locate and inspect the thermostat housing.
- With the hood open and the engine cool, locate the radiator’s upper hose where it enters the engine.
- Trace the hose to the point where it connects to a housing bolted to the engine block or cylinder head.
- Identify the housing; it is usually secured with two to three bolts and may have a sensor or a small bypass tube attached.
- Note the housing’s orientation and the location relative to the front of the engine and the water pump.
- If needed, remove any obstructing plastics or the engine cover to improve access.
In short, the thermostat is in the housing at the end of the engine where the upper radiator hose meets the engine, on the front side of the engine for the 3.6L Pentastar configuration.
These steps are designed to help you locate the thermostat housing quickly. Variations can occur between model years or engine options, so use the hose-tracing method as a reliable cross-check.
If you need to replace the thermostat
Replacing the thermostat is a straightforward maintenance task, but it requires draining some coolant and re-sealing the housing. Here are the steps to guide you through a typical replacement.
Before you begin the replacement, it helps to have a clean workspace and the proper tools. Ensure you have a new thermostat with gasket or O-ring, a new housing gasket if required, the correct coolant type for your vehicle, and a torque wrench.
- Let the engine cool completely, then place a drain pan under the radiator and open the drain valve or remove the lower radiator hose to drain coolant from the system.
- Disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent any electrical issues while you work.
- Remove any obstructing components (engine cover, air intake duct) to access the thermostat housing.
- Unbolt and carefully lift off the thermostat housing to reveal the thermostat inside the housing.
- Remove the old thermostat and gasket, clean the sealing surfaces, and install the new thermostat in the same orientation as the old one (the spring side typically faces the engine). Install a new gasket or O-ring as required.
- Reinstall the thermostat housing and tighten the bolts to the manufacturer’s torque specification.
- Refill or top off the coolant, bleed the cooling system if your vehicle requires it, and reconnect the battery.
- Start the engine and check for leaks. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature and verify the temperature gauge reads normally and the radiator fans cycle as intended.
The replacement process is standard across most Town and Country configurations, but consult the vehicle’s service manual for engine-specific torque specs and bleeding procedures.
Safety and tips
Never work on a live cooling system. Hot coolant can cause burns, and a pressurized system can spray coolant unexpectedly. Use proper PPE, work in a well-ventilated area, and dispose of old coolant according to local regulations. If you’re unsure about the exact engine variant in your 2014 Town and Country, identify the engine code or consult the owner’s manual or a service bulletin for engine-specific details.
Summary
The thermostat in a 2014 Town and Country is housed in the engine’s thermostat housing, most commonly located at the front of the engine where the upper radiator hose attaches. The quickest way to find it is to trace the big upper radiator hose to the housing on the engine, typically just above the water pump. Access may require removing the engine cover or intake components. Replacement steps follow standard practice: drain coolant, remove the housing, replace the thermostat and gasket, reseal, refill coolant, and test for proper operation. Always verify the exact engine variant in your van to confirm the precise location and torque specifications.