The car usually sits around 180-190 coolant temp on an 80 degree day. Recently it refuses to go above 160. So Im thinking the T-stat is stuck open.

If so, how hard is it to replace? Am I going to have to pull my damn header again? I havent gotten back there to look at it yet...

 

Sure sounds like a stuck t-stat to me.

Can't really help you on the replacement but it looks pretty tight in there - hope you got small hands

This thread might help - good luck

 

It's not bad at all. If I remember correctly, it's just three bolts and the cap comes off. I did it in 20* weather, so I really didn't take my time. I left the coolant lines attached and was still able to lift it up enough for remove and replace...

 

^^^ That's good to know, at least when mine goes I have a hope at fixing it - ain't going to pay $100 / hr if I don't have to

 

You'll want a long extension, 10mm flex-head socket, 10mm wrench and you should be good to go. It is tight back there...

 

I just changed my T-stat last month. I was getting a coolant leak. Turns out the t-stat gasket tore. I loosened the drain bolt on the water pump to let the coolant in the upper part of the engine drain. When you unbolt the 3-bolts on the T-stat housing some more coolant will come out, but nothing crazy. Drop the new t-stat back in, bolt it up, and add/bleed the new coolant. Not a hard job, just a pita of an area to work. I suggest having a buddy around to hold the T-stat housing up while you remove / replace it.

Fyi there is no need to remove any coolant lines.

 

Looks like its just a lil tight back there but that shouldnt be a problem. My main concern was having to remove the header, which would not only be a giant PITA, but also mean replacing the manifold studs since I barely got away with reusing them the last time i swapped header. They are done.

 

The header should not get in the way (unless you have the noodle header ).

 

Mine went out last month also. Took me a couple hours because I had a hard time getting to one of the bolts because the dam hose clamps were in the way. I removed the fuse box so I had enough room to adjust the location of the hose clamps, then the third bolt was a charm to get out.

 

LOL no noodle header. I actually care about the car's performance