Thermostat Change

This is a very simple procedure. Your upper radiator hose goes into the thermostat housing. To disconnect this hose without being sloppy, you could drain the coolant from the radiator's drain plugs first. But you could also just roll a pan under the car and disconnect the upper radiator hose. Only a quart or so of coolant will come out before it stops.

Then there are two bolts holding you thermostat housing in place. Remove those and then you'll be able to pull you thermostat right out.

Before replacing with the new one, make sure your old gasket material is removed because that will cause a leak.
And you might want to use a skinny bead of RTV with the new gasket to make sure it doesn't leak.

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

cant get to it what do i have to move out the way to get to two bolts

Hello,

This guide will help you walk through the steps while the thermostat replacement for your car are in the diagrams below.

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.

Engine Cooling problem
1997 Chevy Monte Carlo 6 cyl Automatic

how do i change the thermostat on a 1997 chevy monte carlo ls?

Hi- I had to replace T-stat recently. It was unbelievably hard. If you haven't already done it, my amateur car repair tips are as follows:
You have to remove entire air filter unit, don't try to push it aside. it's gotta come out
You have to remove the Throttle body Unit, I mean undo bolts holding it to Upper Intake Manifold and put it to the side
When you do these things along with other basic removal of upper Radiator hose etc, yoiu will then be able to get to T-stat bolts. They require 13mm socket for upper bolt, and 13mm open end wrench for lower bolt. GOOD LUCK

I can get to the top bolt but even with a wrench I can not get the bottom bolt to turn because I can get the wrench on it but the is not enough room to turn it. I took the air filter and intake hose off but the exaust manafold is only an inch and a half away from the bolt. Is there a tool that I can buy to get that bolt off and back on?

try a shorter box end wrench to make it easier to remove the thermostat housing bolts.

I have a 1997 Monte Carlo, when I replaced thermostst I had to take of the off the entire air filter unit and take off the THROTTLE BODY UNIT in order to get to the thermostat bolts Had to us 13mm socket for top bolt and short 13mm open end wrench for top bolt. GOOD LUCK

Engine Cooling problem
1996 Chevy Monte Carlo 6 cyl Automatic 132000 miles

I cannot figure out how to change the thermostat on this car. I know where it is located but can't figure out how to get the housing out or even the bolts loose because as usual it is tucked behind other things that I do not know how to remove. Is there an easy way to get this changed other than taking it to a garage?

All you have to do is take off the fuel system trim cover and the air filter housing and duct. Its fairly easy. Just find the bolts and remember where they went. You really cant harm anything unless you forget to put something back. Dont let it scare ya. Its easier then it sounds. :) Good luck.