thermostat

[optimusprime9]

wondering if anyone could help me.... 2000 olds alero 3.4 v6.... i'm trying to change the thermostat and this bottom bolt is driving me insane tried flex socket 13mm and no good... tried open end 13mm and i got it loose but not out yet .... i spent three hours in a sears parking lot tryin' to get this shittin' bolt out........ is there a trick? i disconnected all hoses, that exhaust shield and i have very large hands and i cant get this s.o.b bolt out .........http://60degreev6.com/images/smilies/icon_mad.gif

[ollopa]

I don't know your engine so take my advice with a grain of salt. However, in general any bolt in the vicinity of water jackets is prone to heavy corrosion. Be careful not to snap it off and let it soak in penetrating oil for a while.

Do yourself a favor and don't strip the head or break it

[bszopi]

If you can get it loose enough, you don't have to take it all the way out. The thermostat housing's bottom hole is actually open-ended to allow for the housing to slide off the bottom bolt. And I agree, its not the easiest bolt to access, but usually with an open-end wrench, you can loosen it enough (and maybe eventually hand loosen) to be able to just slide the cover off.

[Eric's93z]

optimus what u need is a 13mm slanted ended closed end wrench.....what it looks like is its straight then slants down at the end......i had the same problem so i borrowed that wrench from work and wedged it between the bolt and manifold.....also do yourself a favor and spray the bolts with liquid wrench......i also had this problem and did these procedures and it worked out fine......good luck

[optimusprime9]

Hey Fellas Thanks For The Advice ... I Got That S.o.b. Bolt Out .... And My 180 Stat Is Working Just Fine! Thanks Again Optimus