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Thermostat replacement 2008 3.6ltr

Dean Larfield

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Hello, I need to replace the thermostat in my 3.6ltr 2008 Commodore. As we all know it was manufactured as an East West engine so the thermostat is at the back of the engine. i have heard removing the gearbox is the easiest way, is this true? Can it be accessed from the back without having to drop the gearbox?
 

HarryHoudini

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There is a Thread here somewhere on how to replace without dropping the Box. Best bet is to find a mechanic who has done(without droping box) it before ,will save you a lot of grief for the sake of a few hundred $.
 

Fu Manchu

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To do it with the gearbox in, you’ll need to remove the entire wiper plenum, the intake plenum also.

Then on VE, it’s accessible with limited vision.

Gearbox out is how Holden recommend it be done. A ~$450 job.

A mechanic will spend less time dropping the gearbox to get this done., and therefore charge less.

It will take a really long time via the engine bay.
Best use that method yourself.
 

shane_3800

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Also (I'm a mechanic) on older engines the gasket mating surfaces need to be cleaned and inspected which should be done witb the gearbox out.
E36 BMW's are the same too all have corrosion and need the gearbox out to rectify the corrosion issues on the gasket surfaces.
 

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If you want to....remove the intake plenum wipers n plastic assemblies to get access to the firewall. I just put it on jack stands removed front wheels n stood on 1 to gain access from drivers side. When ya remove the nuts off the wiper arms just bend the wipers back in the center where they pivot n they slide off the shafts. Take a photo b4 ya pull them so ya wipers go back in right spot. Bit of a fiddly job with all the plastics, bit of patience. If it helps find a pic off eBay of the thermostat housing, show ya where bolts are. Once you’ve done 1 you’ll be surprised how quick the thermostat can be swapped
 
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bazz61

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Just had mine done 800$ and its still using fluid ...
They went through the wiper area , they left 2 white marks on windscreen where the wipers sit as a relocation point which was a good idea .
 

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Just had mine done 800$ and its still using fluid ...
They went through the wiper area , they left 2 white marks on windscreen where the wipers sit as a relocation point which was a good idea .
Also (I'm a mechanic) on older engines the gasket mating surfaces need to be cleaned and inspected which should be done witb the gearbox out.
E36 BMW's are the same too all have corrosion and need the gearbox out to rectify the corrosion issues on the gasket surfaces.

Bazz,$800 seems excessive,my former neighbour had his done a few years back and it was $400(something) including the new thermostat, they didn't remove box.

Shane,don't disagree about Box removal to do it properly but mechanics in Sydney seem to be able to replace it without removing,10 years or more now.
 

HarryHoudini

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Once you’ve done 1 you’ll be surprised how quick the thermostat can be swapped

Yep,the first one is the hardest.As i posted previously you need a mechanic who has done them before,knows what specialist spanners are required, and is reasonable with his labour costs.
 

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Ours was done with gearbox out because it was quicker for the mechanic to do. It also made the job easy and stress free for him. All surfaces were cleaned properly and easily.

When removing the plastic wiper cover, there is a world of hurt potentially there. The clips can break and need to be sourced from Holden. The mounts on the plastic for the clips can snap.

Also, often the wiper cover won't sit flush with the windscreen again and needs to be heated and weighted to get it against the windscreen again.
 
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