Where is the thermostat on a 2000 Saturn?

Answer 1

The water pump on the 1996 Saturn is located below the AC compressor, this is the accessory mounted between the engine and the radiator in the engine bay. I have always been told to change the thermostat in conjunction with the water pump as you have to drain the cooling system for either task, so you will need to dismount the AC compressor, LET ME BE CLEAR, DO NOT REMOVE THE HOSES TO THE AC COMPRESSOR AS THIS WILL VENT FREON TO THE ATMOSPHERE AND MAY CAUSE RESPIRATORY ISSUES AND FREEZE BURNS!! All you need to do to dismount the AC compressor is remove the (6) bolts that hold it to its mounts and set it up on your cam cover, there is enough slack in the hoses for this. To replace the water pump, you will need to first drain the cooling system. From the bottom of the car you will see a hole in the shroud on the passenger side front, the radiator drain petcock is located here. You only need to turn it a half turn and pull slightly, take off the overflow bottle cap to allow air into the system and speed up the drain. The water pump is attached by (6) 10mm bolts, (2) of which require you to remove the pulley to access, so using a long screw driver and a buddy, wedge the screw driver between any two bolts and loosen but do not remove the third bolt. Rotate the water pump and repeat this process on the other two bolts holding the pulley on the pump. The same procedure is used to reinstall the pulley, just flip the switch on the ratchet so you are tightening. Remove the (6) bolts for the water pump, remove the water pump and clean off the old gasket from the engine with and wire brush or putty knife being careful not to gouge the gasket sealing surface on the engine. Take the new water pump out of the box and install the new gasket that should come with it, I recommend using a non-hardening silicone, available at the parts counter, applied sparingly to keep the gasket in place while you are installing the new pump. Align the pump to the housing, they only go on one way, so make sure all the bolts line are started before you tighten them, reinstall the pulley and the water pump is done. To replace the thermostat, remove the lower radiator hose from the engine. The housing it was attached to is the thermostat housing, remove the (2) 10mm bolts that hold it on and discard along with the associated O-ring. Clean up the O-ring sealing surface with a wire brush, pull the new unit out of the box, they normally come pre-installed into a new housing with the O-ring loose in the box. Use a little non-hardening silicone to lubricate the O-ring and to help keep it in place, install the new thermostat housing and attach the lower radiator hose. Reinstall the AC compressor, serpentine belt, close the radiator drain, reinstall the wheel well splash panels and tire and you are almost there. Since you have a 1996 Saturn, you should use the normal green anti-freeze mixed 50/50. I use a product that works with the older green stuff and the new orange/red extended life with no detrimental effects, it is green in color as well, but you are free to use whatever silicate free type of coolant you like. The cooling system will take about a gallon and a half of mix, so one gallon of anti-freeeze will be enough. Fill the overflow bottle until the level stabilizes, I recommend squeezing and releasing the upper radiator hose a few times to help fill the system, when this stops pulling the overflow bottle level down you are ready to start the car. Pay close attention to the overflow bottle level for the first 10-15 minutes or until the thermostat opens as the level will go DOWN RAPIDLY when this happens and you do not want to overheat the engine. When the level stabilizes, install the overflow bottle cap and you are done.

Answer 2

The thermostat is located right on the front of the engine block. Its not a normal thermostat like you see in most vehicles. It is accually the flange that the lower radiator hose slips on to. Drain your engine coolant, remove the clamp on the lower radiator hose going to to the motor. remove the two 10mm bolts from the radiator hose flange to the motor, and the entire assembly will come out. when you purchase a new thermostat, it will come already mounted in a new housing. Replace the gasket, place the new thermostat in the motor, and reinstall the bolts.

Answer 3

The thermostat is located right on the front of the engine block. Its not a normal thermostat like you see in most vehicles. It is accually the flange that the lower radiator hose slips on to. Drain your engine coolant, remove the clamp on the lower radiator hose going to to the motor. remove the two 10mm bolts from the radiator hose flange to the motor, and the entire assembly will come out. when you purchase a new thermostat, it will come already mounted in a new housing. Replace the gasket, place the new thermostat in the motor, and reinstall the bolts.

Answer 4

from the underside, remove air deflector assy (plastic push pins-4)= remove both lower a/c condensor bolts to rad (2- 10mm heads) drain radiator (1/4" rachet to turn drain plug at pass side bottom)--topside= remove air intake ducts - remove rad fan assy (carefull to remove wires first)- remove a/t lines- remove rad hoses- remove both upper rad supports- remove rad = fix rad (usually dr side tank cracked) reverse order to reassemble

Answer 5

Usually in a removable housing at the engine end of the upper radiator hose

Answer 6

Major job!! Not for the novice mechanic! If you're going to try it; first, buy a Chilton's or Haynes manual and second, make sure the timing is at TDC before doing anything else.