i went to replace my thermostat yesterday and had a problem.

I found that one of the housing bolts was inaccessable... i sat there for at least a half an hour trying to get a wrench in there. stubby open ended wrench, long open ended wrench, socket with swivel... nothing worked.

I dont have to pull half the engine to get to this thing do i?

 

i have a 2000 and i know to access mine i would have to get it through the bottom, and if your engine is the same configuration as mine and far as part placement, the only thing I can see that would be in the way would be MAYBE the intercooler(side mount) or the power steering pump.....i def dont think an engine pull would be necessary that sounds a little extreme for a t-stat

 

You need to use 1/4" (the small size) socket wrench and extention, not 3/8".

FYI

 

i was using the 1/4" drive.. i'll try again today. it was getting dark and i was probably just frustrated & tired.

 

so yeah.. i just tried again and i definitely can't get even just the 1/4" drive 10mm socket in there alone with my fingers. It looks like what ever bracket is there(power steering) is in the way.. what the heck..

It seems like I'd need some sort of half socket or something for me to have access to this bolt.

I'm thinking i may get in there with a grinder or something and grind a bit of the bracket away... i definitely don't feel like tearing apart the engine.

 

Hmm. Can you try to use an L shaped allen/hex wrench with the 10mm socket on the end?

 

nope, the socket itself wouldn't go on at all.

i got it though. i ended up chiseling away about 1/4" of the power steering bracket where it was causing the interference, and i was then able to fit the socket on the bolt.

Kinda weird, i wonder if there was a non-oem bracket on there or something. ah well.