99 termostat replacement

[bengsxr]

ok I got the top plenium off and see the thermostat. I removed the bolt that holds that pipe but i can not remove that pipe enough to allow the removal. do I have to pull the dipstick pipe out of the way to pull the coolant pipe out does any one know. some help please. ok I see that the dipstick pipe has a bracket that goes under and behind the coolant pipe but you can not remove the collant pipe cause the dipstick pipe is in the way. so how in the world do you get these two untangled to remove them.

[bengsxr]

ok i got it but i had to use a screwdriver to break the thermostat to remove the coolant pipe then take it all apart once I had it out from under the hood. so needless to say I would really like to thank the people that designed this car in person in a really dark ally.

[jebfrank]

Originally Posted by bengsxr

ok I got the top plenium off and see the thermostat. I removed the bolt that holds that pipe but i can not remove that pipe enough to allow the removal. do I have to pull the dipstick pipe out of the way to pull the coolant pipe out does any one know. some help please. ok I see that the dipstick pipe has a bracket that goes under and behind the coolant pipe but you can not remove the collant pipe cause the dipstick pipe is in the way. so how in the world do you get these two untangled to remove them.

OK, you removed the two screws that hold the thermostat in place, and the one screw that holds the pipe, dipstick, and some sort of mount/handle thing in place? There shoud be a told of 3 screws removed. Once that is done grab the pipe and turn it, I can't remember if it was clockwise or counter, you do this so the little bracket that bolts the pipe down clears were the dipstick mounts, then pull the pipe out.

Now I must warn you, I went back to cadillac to get my thermostat, it seems that there are a couple diffrent thermostats that were made for this 3.0L. The diffrences are in the angle of the neck on the thermostat. The first one I got at Napa looked like the right part but, was not. The angle of the neck was off a couple degrees causing me to crack the pipe! Also cadillac did a redesign on the oem housing of the T-stat, The one I got from the dealer required me to install a longer screw in order to bolt it down. I also can remember if the dealer T-stat came with new pipe o-rings, if not I would replace them also. The service manual mention to coat the o-rings with coolant, not oil.

I hope this was helpful

[bengsxr]

yeah thanks i was going to also mention do not buy the one from napa because like you said the neck is off a few degress also i payed less for the one from the dealer. i had to brake my old one because i could not turn the pipe to remove it. this is a really big job for such a little part like a thermostat.

[jebfrank]

Tell me about it, last time I was down in there I did the t-stat, oil cooler, metal seals on the coolant bridge, plugs, wires and a temp sensor. Took for ever but the car runs great now.