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How do you change the thermostat in a 2002 Saturn L300?

Tiny
BRADMACGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 SATURN L300
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
I currently have a 2002 Saturn L300 and the Engine Service Soon light came on. I took it
to my local AutoZone, and the computer that was hooked up to the car said that the car
had error code P0128. That means that there can be 3 problems. 1) Low Coolant Level 2)
Thermostat Defective 3) ECT Sensor. I am assuming that it is the thermostat because I
didn't start it in over a week when it was freezing cold. I really don't want to pay a few
hundred dollars for a repair. How do I change it myself? Photos, words, anything will be
helpful. Thanks!
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Monday, March 30th, 2015 AT 9:41 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
All the one I have had with that code has been a bad thermostat its common on that engine. The coolant level is full correct?
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Monday, March 30th, 2015 AT 12:57 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Also changing the thermostat on that car with that intake set up isn't easy for diyer. You have to remove the upper and lower intake manifold. Also removing the thermostat pipe from the thermostat housing can be very difficult especially without breaking it. Also if your thermostat housing doesn't have reinforcement ribs on it you need to replace it with the updated one with the ribs. The old style tends to leak.
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Monday, March 30th, 2015 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
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  • 3 POSTS
So what should I do? Attempt to do it or take it to a dealer for fixing?
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Tuesday, March 31st, 2015 AT 8:49 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
How good are you at fixing cars?
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Tuesday, March 31st, 2015 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
BRADMACGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Not the best, but I'm decent.
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Wednesday, April 1st, 2015 AT 7:58 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Its a opel engine so its not that easy to pull the intake there are also rubber intake boots that when they age like to rip and tear when you take it apart.I think labor is about 3hrs to have a shop do it.
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Wednesday, April 1st, 2015 AT 12:45 PM

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