[cellsafemode]

This assumes you already removed the intake manifold and all that.

Step 1. Dump some coolant. A tiny trash can fits nice to catch the coolant when removing the large coolant hose.

Step 1b. Unscrewing the other side of that tube from the t-stat housing. You may want to remove the push pins holding the electrical cabling bundle directly in front of it. At least one will need to be removed to fit the t-stat housing out.

[cellsafemode]

Step 2 : Peer into the depth of hopelessness and become enraged at GM.

[cellsafemode]

Step 3. Realize you dont have the right tools to fit this garbage.

[cellsafemode]

Step 4 : Become one with your inner-peace as you slowly unscrew the screw enough to clear the engine block. You wont be able to remove it completely

[cellsafemode]

Step 5. Loosen the nuts to the hardline mounts in this picture. Yes, i already removed the t-stat in the picture, but you need to remove those mounting bracket bolts first.

Step 6. Tilt the t-stat down in the front after lifting up, You're going to have to squeeze it out the front under the hard-lines but you'll be able to shift them a bit and squeeze it out. the front.

Step 7. Install the new one after cleaning the area. Install is reverse of removal. The evil screw is just as annoying going in as it is unscrewing.

[cellsafemode]

So why did the t-stat fail after so few miles and years?

I'm willing to bet it's Dexcool related. This coolant has a history of being annoying garbage in cars since it was introduced. They seem to have reduced the caking - surface bonding that happens with dexcool since the early days but it still seems to happen.

I think it's the caking of the dexcool on the surface of certain untreated aluminum and other metals that lead the t-stat to no longer slide closed on the rails.

[Bumbleboy92]

Nice write up, finally have a link to send people to when they ask lol

I’d imagine though that the problem will arise again later on if the Dexcool is the issue. Guess the only real fix would be aftermarket thermostat or different coolant and I haven’t seen people suggest anything for either sadly

[cellsafemode]

yes, and unfortunately, once dexcool is on the surface of something, it isn't coming off willingly.

I'm assuming i have another few years until this new tstat 'dies'

what would be nice is an empty housing that outputs to the same mount as the v8 tstat so we could just use that one. would make replacing it much easier.

wish mishimoto would fab that up instead of the dumb coolant reservoir thing they did. too bad there's no money in the v6 Camaro aftermarket. just going to have to wait until we're all electric.

[The Maverick]

Thanks for the great write-up! As accessible as everything seems to appear when you pop the hood on the V6, it is definitely frustrating to see an obstacle in front of the bolt for the thermostat housing. I'll have to grab one of those 10mm wrenches!