Engine thermostat location and replacement?

Here is guide to help walk you through the steps with instructions below to show you how on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

The thermostat is located at the rear of the engine. The exhaust cross over pipe that goes between the exhaust manifolds makes the thermostat housing hard to access. The easiest way to change this thermostat is to first remove the exhaust shield and exhaust cross over pipe, then the thermostat can easily be changed. After changing the thermostat, be sure to bleed the air from the system. Look for bleeder screws and run the heater until air blows warm.

Is your Malibu a 2001, or a 2010???

Here are the procedures for the engines installed in 2001's. If this isn't your engine, let me know and I'll look it up again.

Also, if I've helped you, please vote for me, as I depend on this to pay my bills. Thanx, Ernest.

Sorry, that procedure didn't upload correctly. So I sent the procedure without the pictures. Again, sorry.

Drain the cooling system.

Remove the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe bolts.

Remove the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe.

Remove the thermostat and retaining sleeve, noting orientation for installation.

To install:

Install the thermostat and retaining sleeve with the dimple placed into the housing slot.
NOTE
Lubricate the O-rings with coolant only.

Install the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe.

Install the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe bolt, and tighten the bolt to 89 lb inches (10 Nm).

Fill the cooling system.

Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.

Drain the cooling system.

Remove the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe bolts.

Remove the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe.

Remove the thermostat and retaining sleeve, noting orientation for installation.

To install:

Install the thermostat and retaining sleeve with the dimple placed into the housing slot.
NOTE
Lubricate the O-rings with coolant only.

Install the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe.

Install the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe bolt, and tighten the bolt to 89 lb inches (10 Nm).

Fill the cooling system.

3.1L Engines

Remove the thermostat housing.

Remove the thermostat.

Clean the mating surfaces.

To install:

Install the thermostat.

Install the thermostat housing.

Inspect the system for leaks.

3.5L (LX9) Engine

Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.

Remove the air cleaner intake duct.

Partially drain the cooling system.

Use the special tool J38185 in order to reposition the hose clamp from the water outlet housing.

Remove the radiator inlet hose from the water outlet housing.

Remove the water outlet housing bolts.

Remove the water outlet housing.

Remove the thermostat.

Clean and inspect the water outlet housing gasket mating surfaces.

To install:

Install the thermostat.

Install the water outlet housing.

Install the water outlet housing bolts, and tighten the bolts to 18 ft. Lbs. (25 Nm).

Install the radiator inlet hose to the water outlet housing.

Use the special tool J38185 in order to reposition and install the hose clamp to the water outlet housing.

Install the air cleaner intake duct.

Fill the cooling system.

3.5L (LZ4) & 3.9L (LZ9) Engines

Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.

Drain the cooling system.

Remove the air cleaner outlet duct.

Reposition the radiator outlet hose clamp at the thermostat housing.

Remove the radiator outlet hose from the thermostat housing.

Remove the thermostat housing bolt and stud.

Remove the thermostat housing and gasket.

Remove the thermostat.

Clean the gasket surfaces.

To install:

Install a new thermostat.

Position a new gasket and the thermostat housing to the engine block.

Install the thermostat housing bolt and stud. Tighten the bolt and stud to 18 ft. Lbs. (25 Nm).

Install the radiator outlet hose to the thermostat housing.

Position the radiator outlet hose clamp at the thermostat housing.

Install the air cleaner outlet duct.

Fill and bleed the cooling system.

Inspect the system for leaks.

3.5L Engine

Remove the air cleaner intake duct.

Partially drain the cooling system.

Use the special tool J38185 in order to reposition the hose clamp from the water outlet housing.

Remove the radiator inlet hose from the water outlet housing.

Remove the water outlet housing bolts.

Remove the water outlet housing.

Remove the thermostat.

Clean and inspect the water outlet housing gasket mating surfaces.

To install:

Install the thermostat.

Install the water outlet housing.

Install the water outlet housing bolts, and tighten the bolts to 18 ft. Lbs. (25 Nm).

Install the radiator inlet hose to the water outlet housing.

Use the special tool J38185 in order to reposition and install the hose clamp to the water outlet housing.

Install the air cleaner intake duct.

Fill the cooling system.

Hi, the thermostat is located here. As far as the blower motor, I'd have to check voltage and ground at the blower connector, when the problem occurs.

Hi, it rally could be anything, afaulty water pump and yes they can be bad out of the bod, heater hoses leaking, heater core leaking at forewall, rad hose, I would spend the money and have a cooling system pressure test done to accurately pinpoint the leak and go from there, the test should only cost 2-50 bucks and its money well spent

thanks, jim

oh and if you are happy with the info please leave some feedback we all donate out time here helping people for free

This leak could be a couple things. It could be a hose, heater, radiator, or thermostat as mentioned above. However, here is a guide that will help do the pressure test that is the next step:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Here is a guide on a similar vehicle to replace the thermostat if that turns out to be the issue: .

https://youtu.be/5w14DkYn1bU

Below is the process from the manual on replacing the thermostat. If you are loosing coolant due to this leak then we need to first and foremost find the leak because that is why you have no heat as you are low on coolant.

Lets run through this material and go from there. Thanks