Changing a 1999 SL1 Thermostat

[bean3776]

I just changed the temperature sensor on my 99 SL1 Saturn and am ready to change the thermostat. Problem is I don't even know where the thermostat is! If anyone can give me step-by-step instructions on how to do this, what tools to use, cautionary words etc. I would really appreciate it. I am starting my own crusade to fight girls' overall ignorance of automobile maintenance(starting with myself!). Thanks, Lesley

[splat]

with a cold engine, drain the coolant into a suitable container, (hot coolant will scold you and leave you blind...as if that weren't bad enough, if a city worker or police passes by and sees coolant, you're in violation of hazardous waste disposal laws.)

Remove plug from radiator, and engine block...(front right of engine)

Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the thermostat housing. (on the engine block, it's metal and looks like half a circle with a metal extension coming out of it...)

on the water inlet housing there are two bolts, remove those.

disconnect the whole housing

toss the O-ring (needs to be replaced, you should have one already)

Then switch it out and now go in reverse order...

The two bolts are set at 22ft/lbs (get a torque wrench, if you dont have one...over torque will break the bolt or strip it...not enough and you're gonna lose the bolt/leak)

close the drain plug

tighten block plug to 26lb/ft

install hose to inlet housing

fill the cooling system

check for leaks!