trying to replace the thermostat in my 97 ex. the housing has 2 bolts...one above and one below. the one above is so stuck that it is ruining the threads on my sockets. the one below isnt evem visible so i have no idea how i am going to get this thing out. someone please help!

 

bump im goin nuts

 

hit it up with some 'rust-buster spray' or try some wd-40. i would say hit it with a torch for a little bit but not so sure if you'd wanna do that.

 

grease the bolts up maybe. Something like WD40 or something that might work better, from a hardware store. Banging a little bit on the bolts might help losen it also. Something like placing a screw driver on the top and tapping it with something dense.
Also make sure you get a nice socket wrench with an extension long enough, so you don't have to cram the socket up against the bolt. If worse comes to worse, you can get a bolt extractor of some sorts.
The one below is a pain in the *** but as long as you clear the way and have a few inch extension it should be no problem. If your socket is stripping but the bolt isnt, you either have a cheap set or the socket isn't the perfect size.
I don't know if I'd torch it up considering the location.

 

already tried liquid wrench...no avail. the stupid air filter system is in my way as well but i dont know if thats too much work to get out. also how and the hell am i supposed to get the one on the bottom?

this is what my setup looks like:





edit: i got a better set of wrenches...now they are stripping the bolt itself...what do i do1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111


Modified by lax1089 at 7:44 AM 2/11/2007

 

WOW. if ur stripping the bolts you're screwed.

first of all use metric. then take out the intake filter assembly. pain in the butt, but makes work easier.
Maybe warm up the car? let the heat expand, but you're going to be burning your self.

And BTW this is for the back of the engine(lower radiator hose connector) ?
Im not sure about this, but isnt the thermostat in front? NOT SURE

 

well the haybnes manual says its back here but everyone i open the hood for says its in the front....i dunno

edit: i just opened the front....for some reason a lot easier than back but no thermostat so i know where the sucker is....i just gotta get these bolts out...how do i take out the air filter assembly?



Modified by lax1089 at 8:37 AM 2/11/2007

 

Take the intake off. It isn't that hard and will give you a fuckload of space. I highly recommend it. All you do is remove the box by the air filter, and then the tube where it goes into the throttle body. The intake tube should be attatched to the throttle body like the screw in the upper part of the first picture. Do that, and you will probably have more success.
Make sure you find a socket that perfectly fits the bolt so you can get as much torque on it, instead of it slipping and stripping. When doing that, also make sure you remove any plugs etc that could get in the way.. you need the space, cause if that bolt becomes really stripped, you're going to have a bitching time getting that off.
and try the tapping thing, with a screw driver or something flat...

 

would it help to get the car hot by driving around a little and then as soon as i get it in the garage try and pry the bolt....or will this cause problems because of the preassure? maybe i should do all the above except drain the coolant from the radiator as quick as possible so the housing is still hot.

 

uh I wouldnt recommend it cause that coolant will leak out and scold you, especially under pressure. I don't think heating the bolt up will make that amazing of a difference. Take the intake and any other intrusions off before you think about it. It's easy as **** to take the intake off.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Homesickelian &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">uh I wouldnt recommend it cause that coolant will leak out and scold you, especially under pressure. I don't think heating the bolt up will make that amazing of a difference. Take the intake and any other intrusions off before you think about it. It's easy as **** to take the intake off.</TD></TR></TABLE>



A decent socket set will last you years.

 

The bolts are 10mm, I just did mine. As for the bottom bolt, there is another 10mm that holds that wire assembly onto the housing, remove that and you can push everything out of the way. Removing the air box is the best way to. Please please use an oem thermostat, the autozone ones cause nothign but trouble in this car. For how much work this is turning out to be for you we dont want to see you posting another thread about how the autozone thermostat is messed up lol

 

oh dot worry i wouldnt go anywhere near autozone. i got mine at advance.