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Where can I find the location of the thermostat?

Tiny
TRISSYBELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Where can I find the location of the thermostat for this car? It is a 2.2L. Anyone help! I don't want to take it to the shop!

Thanks!1 :P
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 AT 7:12 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,323 POSTS
Hello,

the thermostat for this car is down behind the water pump here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job.

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

Here is the location for your car (below)

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
SRITTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Four cylinder two wheel drive automatic 120,000 miles.

Where is the thermostat located?
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Follow lower radiator hose to water pump and you will find thermostat.

Here are procedures for installation and removal for 2.2L engine:

If your eighth digit in VIN is 4:

REMOVAL:
Drain the cooling system.
Remove the lower radiator hose from thermostat outlet.
Remove the thermostat outlet bolts and outlet
Remove the thermostat.
Clean the mating surfaces of the radiator outlet and the radiator outlet pipe

INSTALLATION:
Install the thermostat.
Install the thermostat outlet and bolts.
Install the coolant outlet attaching bolts and tighten the thermostat outlet bolts to 10 ft. Lbs. (14 Nm).
Install the lower radiator hose to thermostat outlet.
Fill the cooling system.
Inspect for leaks.

If your eighth digit in VIN is F:

REMOVAL:
If equipped with an automatic transmission, remove the exhaust manifold.
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.

INSTALLATION:
Install the thermostat.
Install the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe.
Install the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe bolt and tighten the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe bolt to 89 lb inches (10 Nm).
If equipped with an automatic transmission, install the exhaust manifold.
Fill the cooling system.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STJMZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Engine Cooling problem
2004 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

where is the thermostat?
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HALSCA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
In the place you'd least want to see it. It's under the exhaust manifold. Since you've got an automatic transmission to get at it you'll have to remove the exhaust manifold. Not as bad as it sounds still is going to take a couple hours. Good luck.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HALSCA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,357 MILES
Engine Cooling problem
2004 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 70357 miles

How long does the thermostat normally last? How often should they be changed? Where is the block drain and does it require a special socket? What sort of socket does the radiator require? I've looked the drain plug but never seen anything quite like it.

I know where the thermostat is located and what's required to replace it, just wondering whether it's worth the trouble right now because the car never overheated.

Finally would it be a good idea to replace the Dex Cool with regular green anti-freeze as so many people have recomended.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
I have seen thermostats function properly for over 10 years, having said that, the cooling system should be drained and flushed every 2 years, and I would (as a matter of preventative maint. Change the thermostat).
It is much faster to remove the lower radiator hose and drain the system, than to use the radiator drain plug.

There is a block drain plug, usually a square head NPT bolt or a hex plug. You should drain block as part of a system flush.

By all means, drain the Dex-Cool and replace with a good quality coolant, mixes with all makes, all colors.
Use 50/50 mix, unless you are in a very cold climate, in which case 70/30 is the MAXIMUM you can use.
I prefer distalled water to mix with coolant or use a premix 50/50 coolant.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HALSCA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Good to know thermostats can last that long because for that application it's located in a tricky spot under the exhaust manifold.

As for removing the lower radiator hose thats not an option because both the of them are right in the middle of the tanks, strange setup. Only option is the drain plug.

I did finally locate the engine block drain it's right above the starter and also hard to get at. Might be better to use the drain plug located on the water pump, takes longer but it's much easier to get at.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANIELS1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • CHEVROLET CAVALIER
2002 cavalier 2.2, where is the thermostat. Everywhere it should be, it's not?
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RWDCAVY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Your thermostat is located on the driver side underneith the air intake beside the egr valve and your fuel pressure regulator valve it will be on the front half of the engine on the sude, it will have a hose and a plug connected to it on for the heater and the wires for the dash and computer if u have any problems let me know
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOWER8374
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Chevy
cavalier
2003
72,780
4 cyl.
Could you please tell me the location of the thermostat?
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FISHERMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 937 POSTS
Hello !!

Here you have the pic. of the thermostat location:


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/576_cavalier_thermostat_1.jpg



good Luck!
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 120,000 MILES
Where is the water thermostat located
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
What engine?
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
02 chevy cavalier z24. Where is the thermostat located and how do you replace it?
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzGOuXLU88Q
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Thursday, March 1st, 2018 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)

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