The thermostat in your 1994 Pontiac Grand Am is the cooling system component that controls the flow of coolant in the cooling system. When the engine is cold, the thermostat is closed, keeping the coolant in the engine block until the engine reaches a preset temperature and the thermostat opens. This helps the engine warm faster, which helps it run better. The thermostat can be changed in your front yard in about 30 minutes.
Instructions
- 1
Place the drain pan under the cooling system drain plug in the bottom of the radiator. Some radiators have this plug as a valve you open by turning counter-clockwise by hand or with a wrench, while others have an actual drain plug to remove by turning it counter-clockwise with a wrench.
2Follow the upper radiator hose to where it meets the engine. This is the thermostat housing. Scrub the area around the point where the housing meets the engine to remove any dirt and other contaminants to prevent them from entering the cooling system.
3Remove the housing retaining bolts by turning them counter-clockwise with a ratchet. Grasp the thermostat housing, and firmly pull it straight out from the engine. Using a slight wiggling motion can help break the initial seal of the gasket or O-ring.
4Pull the thermostat straight out of the recess in the engine block. Wiggling the thermostat slightly might help if the thermostat doesn't come out easily.
