Ah yes thanks so much my man! I’m in Wisconsin have the opposite problem... stuck closed. It’s freezing and I have little to no heat. This will be an easy fix. Thanks again.
Pretty slick thanks for posting this video. I have a 04 Impala with the 3.4 and I was dreading changing the thermostat but now have the confidence and knowledge how to do it the easy way.
Pretty cool. I saw about 3 of these before I got to this one. I worked on cars from the ‘80s and ‘90s where you just remove the upper radiator hose and 2 bolts for the thermostat housing and I said “I bet they did some complex millennium thing in the design” and sure enough, it’s a process. Yours looks like the easiest way to do this job I’ve seen. I got a thermostat to replace on a 2003 with a 3400 engine come 4th of July. ...or 5th.
That thermostat is supposed to have a rubber gasket on it, so you dont need silicone. all you have to do to remove thermostat is take off the maf sensor and rubber hoses connected to the throttle body and air box, and thats it. you can get to the top left bolt with a swivel 13mm mini socket , extension and ratchet. the other bolt you have to loosen with a very small combination wrench or ratcheting wrench.. you only have to loosen it, do not remove it, and the the housing comes out towards the front of the car easily.
A tip for you use Vaseline to hold the thermostat in place while you're putting the thermostat housing on or any thermostat installation like that side assembly or a silicone paste type lubricant you can use also make it makes it easier the whole thermostat in place so I don't fall down when you put in the housing on
Retyping my message it makes the installation of the thermostat easier holds it in place so it doesn't fall down why you're installing the thermostat housing by using Vaseline or the silicone paste lubricant sorry for misprint
Changed mine after started to run a bit hot, and was fine for a couple days now is overheating...maybe bad new thermostat outta the box?? Anyone know thank you in advance
Hey Steve thanks for all your videos I have seen them all your a good dude got a question I just bought a 1977 chevy caprice with a 350 bought in gonna have to replace it for right now I just want to put another 350 back in what year kind I use and also I keep looking at some and it says 8 digit what foes that mean. Thanks
Always a good idea to include which engine it's about in the title or at least the description. I came here looking for info on the 3800 engine so this doesn't apply to my project. Too bad too, because you did a great job on the video. Just doesn't apply to me - lol. Keep it up! Be well.
hey steve so i changed my thermostat following ur steps and my check engine light went off, my old thermostat was stuck open. now my car is overheating could this be due to me not "burping" the coolant system???
It really is that hard on my 2000 Pontiac Montana Luxury with the same engine. There are more rigid lines and parts around there so you can only access the bolt from below the exhaust pipe. You get less than 1/12th of a turn from your wrench and then you have to flip it over to get another 1/12th of a turn. Since you can only reach it with your fingertips you will probably drop it and from there it’s a 50/50 chance you will get it on right for the next 1/12th of a turn… assuming you don’t drop it again. It was almost impossible to break the bolt free since you could only use fingertips.
Also, my 13mm ratcheting wrench did not fit. It was the right length but the dome shape of the thermostat housing is too close to the side of the bolt head for the wrench to fit in-between. The ratcheting end is obviously going to have a larger diameter than a socket wall or box wrench that doesn’t ratchet. The exhaust pipe blocks a socket, the thermostat housing dome blocks a ratcheting wrench, and other component in the engine bay block reasonable access to the bolt without a special tool (S-Type Obstruction Wrench, 13mm VW Carb Wrench, GM Thermostat Wrench, etc).
hey bro, just wanted to let you know I figured out an easier way to do it. I'd you take of the half of the throttle along with the throttle acceleration wires by the two little screws on top, you can get to it a lot easier.
I am a woman...I work on my own cars! Have been for many years cuz i dont like liars!!😜 I'm glad I have small hands..painstaking with patience. it's done ladies...DO YOUR OWN!# Ran into someone else's prob that was lazy...gotta chng out front manifold/header bolt once I took off heating shield, it was exposed! Not a person to leave a halfA-- job undone! GO GIRLS...U CAN DO IT😍🔥
I gave up on it before u posted this since those bolts are almost impossible to get to, yet it's starting to run hot again. Most people said not to take the hose to the heater core off. I'm not sure any other way will really work. You didn't have any problems afterwards?
Yeah, I see taking that line off to get to it is easy enough to get back on. I was able to remove the top bolt of the thermostat housing with an extended socket easy enough. B.u.t. that bottom bolt with a regular 13 wrench is damn near impossible. Trying to find a mini breaker bar hasn't done anything yet. Do you think it's a good idea to remove that manifold plate thing that is in the way of the thermostat? It's not removing the throttle body would really open a way to that bottom bolt. Maybe some more grease? For today I'm going to pour a flushing agent into the housing and hope it holds. Peace.
I ended up just taking off that exhaust piece in front of it. I couldn't get a full turn with a wrench. man it was a headache. lol I tell you one thing, I wish I would've done more research on these cars before getting one for my son as his first car. this thing has problems after problems, we changed the water pump, radiator. thermostat. head gasket. now the tranny has problems. SMDH it's a 2000. it only had 100,000, miles on it. it's runs ok for now, but I know it's gonna need a tranny soon. but my son likes the car.
Jaime Garcia Ouch! A trans would be as much as the car is worth maybe more. I'd try to find another one on if I were you. GM has been great to me, as far as what you can do at home.
Stephen Davis we got it for 2,000. but I think we almost put that much into it. lol yeah as soon as I get him to get a job we'll get newer car. lol. I got a 98 tahoe, it's been good to me too. I'm a chevy GM guy. but sometimes you need a little Honda to get around with these gas prices 😥
Jaime G. if it makes u feel any better. I got mine 2000, 750.00 from a family member. How nice of them! the 1st week New starter.... every single week since it has needed something! Now a thermostat. I always loved Chevy . NOT ANYMORE
Lisa Saioni more than likely the starter went out because of oil dripping since the filter is right there I hate that smh Walmart changed my oil but didn't put a drain pan near it so 2 days later it caused my starter to mess up
I did this on my friend's 2000 Oldsmobile alero now about to do it on my 02 impala. Makes me feel lazy just by thinking about it. Really bad design on those 3.4 engines.
Yeah. With the 3.8, you think everything would be more cramped and harder. Just a couple bolts on top and it comes right out. They managed to make a tighter fit with the smaller engine. smh Remember when Chevys were easy?
This car has tortured me. I hate it. One thing after another. Plus the dreaded security issue disabling car temporarily could be 30 min or 2hrs depending on its demeanor that day Installed a bypass to get around that problem. Junk.
What ever engineer designed this Thermostat housing in there like that should be punched in the face.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Agreed
Seven years later, still helping people😂 Gotta love RUclips . Thanks bro for all the tips.👊🏼✌🏻
💯💪🏾
Ah yes thanks so much my man! I’m in Wisconsin have the opposite problem... stuck closed. It’s freezing and I have little to no heat. This will be an easy fix. Thanks again.
The thermostat was also stuck open on my 2000 Pontiac Montana but that caused over-cooling, not “running hot.”
Pretty slick thanks for posting this video.
I have a 04 Impala with the 3.4 and I was dreading changing the thermostat but now have the confidence and knowledge how to do it the easy way.
Pretty cool. I saw about 3 of these before I got to this one. I worked on cars from the ‘80s and ‘90s where you just remove the upper radiator hose and 2 bolts for the thermostat housing and I said “I bet they did some complex millennium thing in the design” and sure enough, it’s a process. Yours looks like the easiest way to do this job I’ve seen. I got a thermostat to replace on a 2003 with a 3400 engine come 4th of July. ...or 5th.
That thermostat is supposed to have a rubber gasket on it, so you dont need silicone. all you have to do to remove thermostat is take off the maf sensor and rubber hoses connected to the throttle body and air box, and thats it. you can get to the top left bolt with a swivel 13mm mini socket , extension and ratchet. the other bolt you have to loosen with a very small combination wrench or ratcheting wrench.. you only have to loosen it, do not remove it, and the the housing comes out towards the front of the car easily.
You still around?
A tip for you use Vaseline to hold the thermostat in place while you're putting the thermostat housing on or any thermostat installation like that side assembly or a silicone paste type lubricant you can use also make it makes it easier the whole thermostat in place so I don't fall down when you put in the housing on
Retyping my message it makes the installation of the thermostat easier holds it in place so it doesn't fall down why you're installing the thermostat housing by using Vaseline or the silicone paste lubricant sorry for misprint
Mines still leaking any suggestions
great video! i was thinking i was gonna have to take out the whole throttle body, but ill try it like this instead. Thanks!
How did it go?
Man. I wish I was mechanically inclined. For some reason a wrench won’t fit in my hand. It sucks.
Changed mine after started to run a bit hot, and was fine for a couple days now is overheating...maybe bad new thermostat outta the box?? Anyone know thank you in advance
Hey Steve thanks for all your videos I have seen them all your a good dude got a question I just bought a 1977 chevy caprice with a 350 bought in gonna have to replace it for right now I just want to put another 350 back in what year kind I use and also I keep looking at some and it says 8 digit what foes that mean. Thanks
Anyone know about a 2001 Chevy Lumina where that damn thing is? Im having difficult time reaching it.
Always a good idea to include which engine it's about in the title or at least the description.
I came here looking for info on the 3800 engine so this doesn't apply to my project.
Too bad too, because you did a great job on the video. Just doesn't apply to me - lol.
Keep it up! Be well.
They do make a GM U-wrench for that predicament.
After your done and say your "bleeding" it what does that consist of? Doin this myself...so far so good!! Great video
Is it a 3.4 or a 3.8 you are working on
No goop to seal? Doing this right now.
Im having way to much trouble with the coolant hose dont wanna give
hey steve so i changed my thermostat following ur steps and my check engine light went off, my old thermostat was stuck open. now my car is overheating could this be due to me not "burping" the coolant system???
Thanks a lot for the video man still trying to get the job done
Did you have the car already flushed or disassembled. Helps others while doing a similar job.
Flushed after. Didn’t lose too much coolant
@@SteveDavisCarGuy So by dissambebling that part no coolant was spilled or needing to be drained?
My gear wrench, ratcheting wrench wouldn't fit it would rub on thermostat housing
It really is that hard on my 2000 Pontiac Montana Luxury with the same engine. There are more rigid lines and parts around there so you can only access the bolt from below the exhaust pipe. You get less than 1/12th of a turn from your wrench and then you have to flip it over to get another 1/12th of a turn. Since you can only reach it with your fingertips you will probably drop it and from there it’s a 50/50 chance you will get it on right for the next 1/12th of a turn… assuming you don’t drop it again. It was almost impossible to break the bolt free since you could only use fingertips.
Also, my 13mm ratcheting wrench did not fit. It was the right length but the dome shape of the thermostat housing is too close to the side of the bolt head for the wrench to fit in-between. The ratcheting end is obviously going to have a larger diameter than a socket wall or box wrench that doesn’t ratchet. The exhaust pipe blocks a socket, the thermostat housing dome blocks a ratcheting wrench, and other component in the engine bay block reasonable access to the bolt without a special tool (S-Type Obstruction Wrench, 13mm VW Carb Wrench, GM Thermostat Wrench, etc).
hey bro, just wanted to let you know I figured out an easier way to do it. I'd you take of the half of the throttle along with the throttle acceleration wires by the two little screws on top, you can get to it a lot easier.
I am a woman...I work on my own cars! Have been for many years cuz i dont like liars!!😜 I'm glad I have small hands..painstaking with patience. it's done ladies...DO YOUR OWN!# Ran into someone else's prob that was lazy...gotta chng out front manifold/header bolt once I took off heating shield, it was exposed! Not a person to leave a halfA-- job undone! GO GIRLS...U CAN DO IT😍🔥
I gave up on it before u posted this since those bolts are almost impossible to get to, yet it's starting to run hot again. Most people said not to take the hose to the heater core off. I'm not sure any other way will really work. You didn't have any problems afterwards?
MD Free No problems at all afterwards just take your time, you can do it.
Yeah, I see taking that line off to get to it is easy enough to get back on. I was able to remove the top bolt of the thermostat housing with an extended socket easy enough. B.u.t. that bottom bolt with a regular 13 wrench is damn near impossible. Trying to find a mini breaker bar hasn't done anything yet. Do you think it's a good idea to remove that manifold plate thing that is in the way of the thermostat? It's not removing the throttle body would really open a way to that bottom bolt. Maybe some more grease? For today I'm going to pour a flushing agent into the housing and hope it holds. Peace.
not like**removing. . .
thank you!!! Perfect!!
I ended up just taking off that exhaust piece in front of it. I couldn't get a full turn with a wrench. man it was a headache. lol I tell you one thing, I wish I would've done more research on these cars before getting one for my son as his first car. this thing has problems after problems, we changed the water pump, radiator. thermostat. head gasket. now the tranny has problems. SMDH it's a 2000. it only had 100,000, miles on it. it's runs ok for now, but I know it's gonna need a tranny soon. but my son likes the car.
Jaime Garcia Ouch! A trans would be as much as the car is worth maybe more. I'd try to find another one on if I were you. GM has been great to me, as far as what you can do at home.
Stephen Davis we got it for 2,000. but I think we almost put that much into it. lol
yeah as soon as I get him to get a job we'll get newer car. lol. I got a 98 tahoe, it's been good to me too. I'm a chevy GM guy. but sometimes you need a little Honda to get around with these gas prices 😥
Jaime Garcia 😂😂✋ I can agree with that hahaha
Jaime G. if it makes u feel any better. I got mine 2000, 750.00 from a family member. How nice of them! the 1st week New starter.... every single week since it has needed something! Now a thermostat. I always loved Chevy . NOT ANYMORE
Lisa Saioni more than likely the starter went out because of oil dripping since the filter is right there I hate that smh Walmart changed my oil but didn't put a drain pan near it so 2 days later it caused my starter to mess up
Love it said “ if ya hand too big” I have my wifey do it lol.!! Good job though!!
I have a 2005 and it's been running hot to hot I'mma try taking the thermostat off and replace it
Demetrius Wright Does it get hot instantly?
Steve Davis He'll yeah about 10 minutes
Steve Davis bout to get a new motor yuck that
Good video. Thanks for sharing that, Bruh. I have a 05 ls, that seems like it's having that issue.
I did this on my friend's 2000 Oldsmobile alero now about to do it on my 02 impala. Makes me feel lazy just by thinking about it. Really bad design on those 3.4 engines.
Yeah. With the 3.8, you think everything would be more cramped and harder. Just a couple bolts on top and it comes right out. They managed to make a tighter fit with the smaller engine. smh Remember when Chevys were easy?
Good shit bro omm u saved me plenty $$$$$$
Rick Williams 😄💯
Bro I just changed my thermostat now the car won't start do u know what will make it not start my nicca?
Rick Williams your starters bad
You probably forgot to plug one of the sensor back
Awesome video Bro Thank U..!
You're welcome
Well done!
Where's your gaskets?
Enough demons designed this car so some help from an angel is very welcome. Nice job.
You a sergeant?
+Dan V Ala91Ska Yes
Steve Davis Nice! Huah
Dan V Ala91Ska I hate that word 🤦🏿♂️, thanks bro 💯😂
you back home bro
Derrick Andrews 1 day and some, almost bro.
My housing keeps leaking
Gasket replacement
This car has tortured me. I hate it. One thing after another. Plus the dreaded security issue disabling car temporarily could be 30 min or 2hrs depending on its demeanor that day Installed a bypass to get around that problem. Junk.
Your baby said dada! Go to your baby!
easy but if u wouldve removed dat throttle body itll b way faster....i did
Natasha Robinson That's wassup
+Steve Davis After i changed my thermo i got a high pitched siren noise its irritating, n the water pumps is changed....😧
sometimes I get confused with your wards Tyrone Brown🙄
🤣
I have an 05 impala and the thermostat is not located there
BatPig12345 Sounds like you have the 3800. I'll edit the title sorry for the confusion.
Stephen Davis no I have a 3400
BatPig12345 send pics to my email stephendavis13@yahoo
Not a bad video,bad but you could never see some stuff
Yeah people say it's hard but do it right and proper dont take no time. Just remember to bleed the valves lol
A
looks like i'm leaving my thermostat in for the coolant flush..lol
2005 3.4l impala