HOW TO: Install A New Thermostat

Mr Tyler · 08/17/2006, 09:05 AM

Ok fellas, here is my write up on how to install a new thermostat on the V6 3.0 6G72 motor.

I give it a 2 or 3 out of 10 on difficulty. This was the first repair I ever made on my car so its not that hard. First off I would buy the OEM thermostat over an aftermarket one. The aftermarket one I purchased did not fix my problem. I suggest getting a Haynes manual to help and make sure the car is cold before you start. I would recomend letting it sit over night. I am not responsible for your mistakes if something goes wrong.

The tools you'll need are 10mm, 12mm, and 13mm socket wrenches and rachets.

First start by placing a pan under the car and draining the coolant out of the radiator. First open the top radiator cap. BECAREFUL AS HOT GASSES COULD BLOW OFF THE CAP AND/OR ONTO YOU!!! There is a plastic white wing nut on the bottom driver side of the radiator. Open this and drain off the coolant.

Now take out your intake. Loosen the strap using the 10mm socket where the intake connects to the throttle body and disconnect vacuum hose coming off the top left side next to the intake plenum.

Disconnect the MAS and unbolt the filter box. It should all come out in one piece.

This is where I took out my battery. It helped with space. You don't have to do this if you don't want too.

Now unbolt the wiring harness to give you some wiggle room when you take off the thermo housing.

The thermostat housing is located under the wiring harness here.

There are 3 bolts holding the housing to the engine block. Unbolt these and pull it away. Now you should see the thermostat. Pull it out.

Put in the new one. Now reverse the process when putting everything back together.

Now screw the white plastic drain at the bottom of your radiator back in and fill the radiator with coolant. Top it off by disconnecting the top radiator hose from the engine and fill it up. You will spill some fluid when you put it back on but it reduces air bubbles. Leaving the radiator cap off squeeze the hose until it fills up with fluid. Then put the cap back on and squeeze it again. This helps in getting air out of the system. Top off the radiator and fill the resevoir just above the low mark and start your car. Check for leaks and make sure that the top hose feels tight when you sqeeze it. Turn off your car and top off the resevoir. Your done! Hopefully your temp gauge looks like this at idle:

08/17/2006, 09:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mr Tyler Resident Murse Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Huntsville, Al Vehicle: 01 GT 5spd Posts: 335	HOW TO: Install A New Thermostat Ok fellas, here is my write up on how to install a new thermostat on the V6 3.0 6G72 motor. I give it a 2 or 3 out of 10 on difficulty. This was the first repair I ever made on my car so its not that hard. First off I would buy the OEM thermostat over an aftermarket one. The aftermarket one I purchased did not fix my problem. I suggest getting a Haynes manual to help and make sure the car is cold before you start. I would recomend letting it sit over night. I am not responsible for your mistakes if something goes wrong. The tools you'll need are 10mm, 12mm, and 13mm socket wrenches and rachets. First start by placing a pan under the car and draining the coolant out of the radiator. First open the top radiator cap. BECAREFUL AS HOT GASSES COULD BLOW OFF THE CAP AND/OR ONTO YOU!!! There is a plastic white wing nut on the bottom driver side of the radiator. Open this and drain off the coolant. Now take out your intake. Loosen the strap using the 10mm socket where the intake connects to the throttle body and disconnect vacuum hose coming off the top left side next to the intake plenum. Disconnect the MAS and unbolt the filter box. It should all come out in one piece. This is where I took out my battery. It helped with space. You don't have to do this if you don't want too. Now unbolt the wiring harness to give you some wiggle room when you take off the thermo housing. The thermostat housing is located under the wiring harness here. There are 3 bolts holding the housing to the engine block. Unbolt these and pull it away. Now you should see the thermostat. Pull it out. Put in the new one. Now reverse the process when putting everything back together. Now screw the white plastic drain at the bottom of your radiator back in and fill the radiator with coolant. Top it off by disconnecting the top radiator hose from the engine and fill it up. You will spill some fluid when you put it back on but it reduces air bubbles. Leaving the radiator cap off squeeze the hose until it fills up with fluid. Then put the cap back on and squeeze it again. This helps in getting air out of the system. Top off the radiator and fill the resevoir just above the low mark and start your car. Check for leaks and make sure that the top hose feels tight when you sqeeze it. Turn off your car and top off the resevoir. Your done! Hopefully your temp gauge looks like this at idle: