02' Grand Am Thermostat

[MJBaldwin]

Like the title says the Fiancé's car needs a new thermostat has any one put one in this car before? A few tips would be nice if so i think I might tackle it this weekend since Firestone wanted 300 bucks to do it and it's only a seven dollar part seemed way to high for me. Let me know thanks guys

[Macgyver55]

Is it a 4 or 6 cylinder?

[boatfixer]

I just putone in my kids 3.4L, pretty straight forward. You must make sure you purge the system of air, I've been told there is a place to purge but I just kept cycling it

[MJBaldwin]

It's a six cylinder model. How do you purge the system? When I replaced te one in my f150 I just changed the thermostat and filled up the coolant from the stuff that leaked out. How long does it take about for an average joe ? Do i need certain tools I don't have that great of a selection built up..

[Jeremy airjer W]

The thermostat will be behind the housing that the upper hose is attached to. It is not the most accessible t-stat. Sometimes it helps to pull the throttle body to give you a little more room to work. The only tools you will need are a 13mm swivel socket, an extension, a ratchet, and a 13mm wrench (ratcheting preferred). Remove the 2 t-stat housing bolts, replace the t-stat, and let us know how much fun you had doing it!

As far as purging....

There is either a purge screw on the t-stat housing or a metal line attached to it that runs back to the reservoir. If it has the screw open it up and fill the radiator. once coolant comes out close it.

There is another purge screw on the pipe that comes out of the top of the timing chain cover right behind the water pump. Open it, wait for coolant to come out and close it.

Start the car and open the purge screws periodically. keep the radiator full. once the fans come on replace the cap and you should be good to go.

[MJBaldwin]

Thanks for the info guys I'll post a pic of the temp let me know what you guys think if it's right or should be warmer

[Jeremy airjer W]

temp gauge should be about center or roughly 200 degrees.

[boatfixer]

I pulled the airbox out of the way rather than the T body. A little fanaggling but it wasn't too difficult. I was able to use a 13 mm socket on the bolt that is nearest the front of the car and used a stubby 13 mm wrench for the other one.

[Eric Wettschreck]

If it's anything like the 3100 it's farily straight forward. Do yourself a favor, pull the air box and pull the throttle body. It takes aboot 4 minutes to pull and will save you 2 hours of headache getting that stuff out of the way.

As Jer said, vent and fill it.

Not a tough job.