You have an AEB with external waterpump. Your thermostat is SO easy to replace. I just did mine last weekend and it took me 15 minutes. Jack the car up, drain coolant using the red screw looking thing on the drivers side of the radiator, locate waterpump, there is a black plastic flange coming from the waterpump with 2 10mm bolts, remove them and then pull the flange away from the waterpump. You will see the thermostat and O-ring sitting there. Remove the O-ring and be prepared for all the coolant still stuck in the waterpump to come shooting out at you. Then simply remove thermostat and install new one in reverse order.

Seriously this does not even involve taking the front bumper off it is that easy to do. Just make sure you have new coolant to put back in once you reinstall new thermostat. Overall it take about 15 minutes and will cost you about $35 for a thermostat, o-ring, and thing of coolant all form the dealership. Easily my easiest repair done on my car.

 

do you have any photos?

 

Cold weather repairs are a pain. I'm thinking of driving downtown and parking in the bottom level of an underground garage (weekend rates are more reasonable than weekday rates). Does anyone have any experience doing such a thing?

 

How bad is this for the engine?

I started to notice mine doing the exact same thing. Although, i havent really lost any cabin heat, not that i've noticed anything different. If its not extremely harmful for the engine, im going to wait it out because my timing belt was done 2yrs ago, and I still have 50,000km left for another timing belt replacement. I'll probably wait it out until spring, because I can still reach 90'F if i keep my heater off while driving. I feel a lot more confident in doing the t-belt replacement myself now. I'll write up a comprehensive DIY when i do.

 

well since my hasn't worked all winter, i noticed that my MPG's dropped, and power loss too. since engine never really wamrs up

 

Lately my car heat gets a little bit higher than usual when the Air-Conditioner is off. When the car A/C is on the car heat is normal and the radiator fans work in the right time they should be working.