Changing My Thermostat

After 5 years of trouble-free good times, my 2012 JK's check engine light came on this past weekend. I don't have a history of working on vehicles, but my jeep is mine and I don't like other people to touch it. I am so grateful for my internet access, because I quickly learned that the JK will spit out the error code(s) that are causing your trouble. If you don't know how, turn the key in the ignition to engage the electrical system without starting the engine, then turn off-on three times, and any codes will display on the odometer, ending with "-done-".

P0128, which my research told me was often the thermostat. I couldn't find one locally, so I ordered one online from one of the jeep specialty vendors, and it arrived the next morning. Not bad for a $25 part!

In the interim, I did enough reading about coolants, and the engine-destroying nightmares that arise from mixing HOAT coolant with OAT coolant, to become completely terrified. I ordered a bottle of the MOPAR branded coolant just to be on the safe side, and drilled "orange good, purple bad" into my head.

Today I did the work. Replacing a thermostat is dead simple and took a whopping 15 minutes. I didn't even lose much coolant in the process, but decided to top off. I carefully read the label on the container, made certain it was the right part number, and poured a drop onto a white towel for extra peace of mind.

Pink. It's pink. It's not supposed to be pink, is it? It's supposed to be orange.

I quickly aborted, topped my radiator off with about 6 ounces of water, and decided to call it a day. Why does engine coolant have to be so difficult?!

UPDATE: I have triple checked the part number against the Mopar web site and I'm absolutely certain I've got the right stuff. It's part number 68163849AB, and when I poured some of it into a jar it's still got that neon pink look on top, but it's orange when viewed from the side. I'm being super paranoid, and I know it, but I am so close to having this jeep paid off, and I don't want to destroy it.