What could it hurt...? I had this horrible screeching sound coming from the belt so I had the mechanic swap it out for me. He called me and said that the thermostat was also sticking open. This is new. Don't we usually get a code or something? I read where others are getting some kind of message or something... How long can I wait till it hurts something or do I need to fork out the $900 they want to sway it out, change the belt, and do a flush? For some reason I think its a little high.... I am in the Houston area so the weather here could be in the 80's one day and in the 40's the next...

Any thoughts?

What could it hurt...? I had this horrible screeching sound coming from the belt so I had the mechanic swap it out for me. He called me and said that the thermostat was also sticking open. This is new. Don't we usually get a code or something? I read where others are getting some kind of message or something... How long can I wait till it hurts something or do I need to fork out the $900 they want to sway it out, change the belt, and do a flush? For some reason I think its a little high.... I am in the Houston area so the weather here could be in the 80's one day and in the 40's the next...

Any thoughts?

Hi, What belt? timing or acc. drive belt?:cool:

I believe the biggest problem you'd run into with the thermostat stuck open is the engine wont heat up as quickly if its cold out. Of course thats not gonna be as big of an issue in Houston as it would be if you lived in Minnesota.

By the way I'm not a mechanic or an expert in any way so I could be wrong.

The stupid thing is.... that my extended warranty does not cover this since they think it is a regular maintenence item. They have not seen what it takes to replace it though..

However, if the engine blows up.. it's covered....

I dont really see how a thermostat is a regular maintenance item but whatever. I guess you can just teach them a lesson by letting it blow up so they can spend $6000 buying you a new engine rather than just replacing thermostat!

Thermostat stuck in open position will eventually start throwing codes.

My T-stat bypasses (i.e. it never closes all the way) and it throws a code (P0128 I think it is), the motor is slow to reach operating temp and in cold weather it won't get past 1/4 of the temp gauge. It won't really hurt anything other than it'll probably send your fuel mileage in the crapper. I have all the parts to replace mine but it looks like a royal PITA of a job. The T-stat is located at the back of the motor on the 3.6L and the FSM states the entire intake (upper and lower) has to be removed to get at it. I can't wait to do mine :P.

The fuel system wil never go to closed loop if the engine won't warm up. It'll throw codes and gas milage will be in the toilet.

Just pulled shop manual. Thermostat replacement on 2.6 and 3.2 looks very easy. Book indicates that 3.6 is also fairly simple, but as I recall, you might have to be a contortionist to get to thermostat on 3.6. I remember looking for the thermostat housing on my 3.6 and thinking that it is a little tougher than most cars.

Still, not impossible. Book says there are some heater hose connectors that must be removed prior to getting close to thermostat.

Nothing in life is easy, cept maybe my g/f.

I have built race cars and 4 wheel drives so I am not opposed to doing it myself. I have done some searches on this site and saw a diagram on where it is and also that it is a PITA to do.. I will either fork up the money or just do it one weekend.. Who knows.. In the mean time, the wife will drive it now and its only 15 min to her work.. would barely warm up by then anyway...

The Helm manual actually specifies the entire intake manifold assembly needs to be removed to gain access to the thermostat housing as I said earlier (on a 3.6L). It's probably easier to remove the intake as an assembly to gain access to the T-stat housing then it is to try and contort you arm back there to get it out with the intake on. Might as well do the plugs while the intakes off too if the car has some miles on it. I believe the manual also states that the plenum gasket can be reused if its in good shape so take your time if you pull the intake.