I was gonna change my thermostat today until I encountered a problem. There are two bolts that hold the thermostat housing. The one on the right is easy to get off but the one on the left, which you can't see in the picture because its under all the hose and next to this power cable, is a b*tch to get off. There is barely any room for my socket in there. Even if I get it off, I can't imagine how I'm gonna screw the bolt back on. Any suggestion? Thanks

 

i believe that's going to be a 10mm bolt... you have some options. Judging by the picture, you might be able to get a socket on there, then use about a foot of extensions and then use the ratchet...If the angle is off, use a universal joint.

Otherwise you can fit a wrench on there and tap the end of it with a hammer or something else.

And you don't have to put it back on there that tight. It's just that way cuz it hasn't moved in years.

 

10mm wrench should get it off. There isnt much room to fit a ratchet in there. Have you tried a wrench?

 

Thanks for the fast reply! I haven't tried a wrench in there because there is noway a wrench would fit in there. Putting a 10mm socket with an extension will not work either because if the wrench won't fit, the socket plus an extension will for sure not work. The left bolt is buried deep in there, you can't see it from the picture. It's beneath the temp sensor .

 

Looks like your going to have to remove anything in the way. That sux. Sorry.

 

yeap I had the same problem on my
da
a socket didnt fit at all
so then it became a project cause
I had to remove everything
from that area to remove it
ex
distributor
hoses
air intake tube
believe me its a project.
when I finally got it, it snaped
just be carefull when you do it

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FRANCISCO FLORES &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeap I had the same problem on my
da
a socket didnt fit at all
so then it became a project cause
I had to remove everything
from that area to remove it
ex
distributor
hoses
air intake tube
believe me its a project.
when I finally got it, it snaped
just be carefull when you do it
</TD></TR></TABLE>

*faint*

 

I know!!!
I thought it was an easy fix
LOL
but it turned out to be a project

 

what is preventing you from putting a socket on there? The picture looks like a head on shot that is pretty clear. If the lower rad hose or the clamp is in the way, take those off since you're going to have to refill your cooling system anyways, that might help.

 

I think he's talking about the second bolt facing down, not the one that is straight on in the picture which is the grounding strap. Looks like you're gonna have to remove the grounding strap and pull the temperature sensor to get a clear shot at that bolt. With those out of the way you'll be able to get a clear shot at the second bolt.