Parts for your 2002 Daihatsu Yrv-Thermostat

2002 Daihatsu YRV Thermostat — What It Does and How To Keep It Happy

Technical sources including the Daihatsu YRV workshop manual (Engine Cooling section, for M2-series YRV with EJ-VE, K3-VE and K3-VET engines), the Daihatsu Electronic Parts Catalogue, and Australian application catalogues from Gates and Tridon all list and illustrate a conventional engine coolant thermostat for the 2002 Daihatsu YRV. That confirms this model is fitted with a thermostat housed in the engine’s coolant inlet/outlet assembly.

On the 2002 YRV, the thermostat’s job is simple but crucial: help the engine reach operating temperature quickly, then keep it there. It stays shut on cold start to speed warm-up (better fuel economy and smoother running), then opens at a set temperature to let coolant circulate through the radiator. Consistent temperature means stable emissions, good heater performance, and longer engine life.

For owners, the thermostat generally isn’t a routine “wear item”, but it’s smart to check it whenever the cooling system’s serviced. Many techs replace it preventively during a major coolant change, water pump job, or after 5–10 years, because the wax element and seals age with heat cycles. Use a quality unit matched to the engine code, with the correct opening temperature (commonly around 82–88 °C depending on variant) and always fit a new O-ring or gasket.

• Common signs it’s on the way out: slow warm-up or poor heater (stuck open), overheating or coolant pushed out (stuck closed), temp gauge wandering, or engine light with temperature plausibility faults.
• Location: typically at the engine end of the lower radiator hose, inside the alloy housing. Expect two or three small bolts and a shaped O-ring.
• Good practice when replacing: drain enough coolant to sit below the housing, clean mating faces, note any jiggle-valve orientation, tighten bolts evenly to light torque, refill with the correct red long-life coolant mix, and bleed air with the heater on hot. Re-check the level after a couple of short drives.

A sound thermostat protects the YRV from the two big enemies—overheating and prolonged cold running. Keeping it in spec will make the little Daihatsu feel sharper on chilly mornings, keep fuel use tidy, and help the cooling system cope on long summer drives across Aus or NZ.

Popular questions about the 2002 Daihatsu YRV thermostat

What temperature thermostat does a 2002 YRV use?
Most YRV engines use a thermostat that begins opening around 82–88 °C, depending on the exact engine (EJ-VE, K3-VE, or K3-VET). The safest bet is to match the opening temp to the VIN/engine code and the workshop manual spec printed for that variant.

Where is the thermostat located on a 2002 YRV?
It sits in the thermostat housing on the engine side of the lower radiator hose. On the K3-series engines it’s mounted at the front of the block