How to Change a Thermostat in a 3.4 Car Engine
The 3.4 liter V6 is a common motor in several General Motors vehicles. To allow this vehicle to run smoothly and prevent overheating you will need to replace the thermostat when you notice the car start to overheat. Troubleshooting your coolant system will usually involve loss of coolant. When you troubleshoot and notice that no coolant is being lost but the vehicle is still overheating then you most likely will have a bad thermostat. Replacing the thermostat in the 3.4 liter will take a few minutes.
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Things You'll Need
- Flathead screwdriver
- Socket wrench
- Socket set
- New thermostat
- Thermostat housing assembly gasket
Instructions
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Removing the Thermostat
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1
Open the engine compartment hood. Locate the top radiator hose.
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2
Follow the radiator hose to the thermostat housing. Pull the thermostat hose off the thermostat housing assembly by loosening the hose clamp with a flathead screwdriver.
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3
Unbolt the thermostat housing with a socket wrench. The thermostat housing cover can be pulled off with your fingers. If the housing is sealed due to the old gasket you can free it with a flathead screwdriver.
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4
Grasp the thermostat with your fingers and pull it out. Remember the position it was sitting in.
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5
Scrape any old gasket material off the surface of the thermostat housing. Ensure the gasket material is also cleaned off the cover.
Installing the Thermostat
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6
Deposit the thermostat in to the housing assembly. Ensure it is in the same position that the old thermostat was in.
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7
Ensure the new gasket is seated on the housing assembly. The bolt holes need to be lined up to the gasket.
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8
Bolt the cover back on to the thermostat housing. Tighten the bolts with the socket wrench.
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9
Tighten the hose back on to the housing. Use a flathead screwdriver to tighten the hose clamp.
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10
Open the radiator by twisting the pressure cap counter-clockwise and pulling up. Top off the coolant level with fresh anti-freeze.
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11
Start the vehicle up and turn the heater on to help circulate the heater. This will dissipate any air bubbles in the system freeing up more room for coolant.
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12
Top off the system with anti-freeze. Tighten the cap back on to the radiator.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can drain some of the coolant level to make the job easier. Do this by placing a pan underneath the radiator and opening the petcock valve underneath the radiator with a pair of pliers. Close the valve once you have drained the coolant down below the thermostat housing.
Ensure you use extreme caution when working around the coolant system. Do not work on when the motor is hot as this could result in burns.
References
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Comments
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You obviously have never changed one of these thermostats. It doesn't not sit in an easy position. Part of the exhaust or the throttle body has to be removed to change it. Pop the hood on one and actually look before you misinform people.
