How do I change a thermostat? VT S2

[Edman]

Hey everyone, new to the forum just bought my first commodore a couple of months ago, loving it so far. I noticed this Friday I was driving back from a mates place it was about a 20 minute drive and I was heading up a hill after being stopped at traffic lights and my car made a noise and said 'hot' so I looked over at the temperature gauge and sure enough it was it the maximum hot position anyway so I kept driving home and it went back down to normal temperature and when I pulled over to park my car it happened and again so I turned the engine off and the radiator fan was still running and it did this for about 3 minutes after I had taken the key out. I have no idea why it was doing this as I checked the engine it was regular temperature when I put my hand on it and also the radiator hoses where not even that hot so I could touch them.

I checked my coolant and the liquid was between the arrows on the indicator and is fluro green so its not dirty or anything, I had had the car serviced 3000 km's ago. It is not like I have neglected the car or anything so the only thing I can think of doing first is to change the thermo stat as its the cheapest thing to fix.

That brings me to my question of how do I change the thermostat. I have just bought a Tridon HIGH FLOW THERMOSTAT TT2003-195 of ebay. And I checked on their website to make sure it was the right part for my car. What else will I need to do this, gasket? gasket goo?

Anyway help would be much appreciated. Thanks Ed

[VYMAD]

At your service, was the coolant done? Doesn't really matter if it's nice and green, check though (while cold) that the radiator is full to the filler neck as well.
I havn't changed a thermostat on Commodore yet but I believe it's just:

Remove the two bolts, lift cover off, remove thermostat.
Scrape away the old gasket from both sides of seat, until there is no remnants of the old gasket, otherwise it will leak.
Install your new thermostat add gasket and cover and tighten to recomended torque.

Maybe someone else can advise if sealant is needed, but I wouldn't use it, the gasket should do the trick if you do all of the above. But anyone else, feel free to advise further.

It is possible that your water pump may be badly corroded as well, but try the thermostat first.

[SweetWagon]

New radiator cap wouldnt hurt while your at it

[darcycammo]

take the engine cover off and were you see you yellow circle undo the to screws and the thermostat is just in there (but watch out as all the water will come out when you undo the screws so once you have changed the thermostat and gasket refill the coolant turn her on let is idle for a little bit or take for a drive and when you come back get a flat head screw driver and (you see the screw on top of the thermostat housing undo that so all the air comes out leave it open till a good stream of water keeps coming out then ) then screw is closed and put the engine cover back on and you should be all done

[NVMYVT]

and i'll add something they have all neglected,,,don't mix different coolants,,,,,
otherwise you'll be up for a bit more money than just a thermostat

[Edman]

Thanks guys I will have a look this week and report back when I fix the problem.

[Edman]

Hello sorry for the slow response I had exams. After changing the thermostat in my car, the engine was still overheating so I decided to go to my local mechanic anyway the problem was somthing to do with the bottom radiator hose was swollen and blocked?? So he replaced my bottom radiator hose, added coolant and bled the system. Problem solved. $150 total so not to bad.

Edman

[Hot-Rod]

Thats very expensive. But I spose its a mechanic. New Coolant is 30 bucks max, new pipe 30 max. Did he even flush the system for that price? What was it blocked with? If it was crud then ur whole system needs a good flush.