thanks for the advice.

 

if it was failed closed your radiator would never heat up, and your engine would be overheating. when you get to your work pop the hood and see if its warm at all. if the radiator is a little warm then its failed open.

 

why do you think i wanted to know if it failed open or closed?

 

It's an easy job to do - IF you have the tools (various sockets and Torx bits) and aren't afraid to remove the front of your car. It's not quick though. The 2.8 is NOT like the 1.8T, where you can remove a couple parts from under the car and change it. The thermostat is behind a channeling panel on the front of the block, under the timing covers (and thus requiring them, along with the serpentine belt, cooling fan, etc to be removed). It's not difficult to do, but you will lose your coolant in the process (may as well buy three more bottles of G12 and refill with new stuff), and you'll need to put the car in service position (front end removed/swung open). Don't confuse the ease of t-stat replacement on the four cylinder with that of the six.

 

know where i can get a service manual in pdf?