Bob, for many years following the top radiator hose worked and still works for most cases. I only brought up the North Star for a FYI. Art ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Kennedy To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:21 PM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] locating engine thermostat
You got me on that one. I haven't worked on one of them that I can remember. That's what I get for making a general rule. ----- Original Message ----- From: Art Rizzino To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:12 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] locating engine thermostat Bob you mentioned follow the top radiator hose to locate engine thermostats. In most cases I agree with you. But there are exceptions to the rule. Example Cadillac North Star engines, The thermostat housing connects to the lower radiator hose. Art ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Kennedy To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 6:31 AM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] oldsmobile thermostat Well you have a job ahead of you to be sure. Especially if you are in a part of the country where rust is a problem. What I can tell you about reading written instructions is they all to often assume you have to see what you are doing and often times outline a whole list of things to be removed. They are removed so they can see the rest of the parts. On the other hand, guys like me with hands that weren't designed to fit in tight places require things to be removed that sometimes shouldn't be... I'm trying to place the 3.4 engine because this age was nearing the end of Oldsmobile's lifetime. The easiest way to find the thermostat on any car I can think of is to follow the top radiator hose. It will end at a pipe that leads to, or a housing for the thermostat. On many of the GM V6 engines, 3.4 is such a beast, the thermostat is on what is called the back end of the engine. Strange term since the engine runs sideways. For those that don't know, right and left are directions given on a car as if you are sitting in the driver's seat. So the back of this engine is on the left side of the car even though it's on your right as you face the engine. Don't feel too confused, people in parts stores get confused too. Anyway, the back is always where the transmission bolts on. At that end of the engine will be your airflow hose and air filter box. That hose will more than likely need to be removed. There will be some small heater hoses and pipes in the way and removal is a pain. Be careful if you decide to bend instead of remove the pipes and their brackets. There is also a M A F (mass air flow) sensor that may have to be removed. The dreaded crossover exhaust pipe will be right in the way as well. There is a shield over the pipe itself and I don't like to mess with them unless there is no way around it. If they don't go back together just so there will be a new noise under the hood. The thermostat housing is held in place with 2 13 millimeter bolt heads. The one on the top left has to come all the way out. The bottom right of the housing is usually slotted and the bolt only needs to be loosened. There is usually enough slack in the hoses to wiggle the housing off and bend out of the way. Be sure to clean the area well before putting back together. This means scrape any gasket or sealer from both surfaces and spraying with a cleaner, my favorite is sold under many names but it's used to clean brakes. Personal choice but I will usually leave out the gasket going back together and instead use the "blue goo" silicone sealer. Just don't get too happy spreading that stuff everywhere because you can stick a thermostat if you have too much. Just remember to use lots of thread loosener. And keep in mind thread loosener is petroleum based and you need to be extremely careful not to get it on hoses. It will turn them into a balloon and you'll have a whole other problem then. Sorry for such a long answer to say yes the exhaust pipe will be in the way... ----- Original Message ----- From: Ron Yearns To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 9:12 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] oldsmobile thermostat Well gentle handypersons it appears I may have a leak around the thermostat housing and a stuck open thermostat on our Olds 2002 van with a 3.4 engine. The book calls for removal of the exhaust pipe before removing the stat housing. I haven't opened things up to confirm but was wondering if others have done this task and if the crossover pipe removal was totally necessary. I am fearful of breaking manifold studs. Suggestions and insights would be appreciated. Ron [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
