[drapedupDTS]

how hard and how much work is it to replace the thermostat in this car... AND where is it LOCATED?

 

[dirt_cheap_fleetwood]

First question, what car? Edit your profile and put it in there.

 

[Sinister Caddy]

I see the post tags say "2002 deville"

 

[drapedupDTS]

yeah the car is a 2002 cadillac deville

 

[Ranger]

It's at the end of the lower radiator hose. Why are you changing it?

 

[wv94deville]

i just replaced mine in 1994 deville was very easy

 

[drapedupDTS]

It's at the end of the lower radiator hose. Why are you changing it?

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...-1985/166287-temp-guage-dash-fluctuating.html

the reason i am changing is that my temp guage on the dash fluctuates up and all day... had my looked at a few weeks ago at a gm dealer and said for the most part it's the thermostat... no leaks, loss of performance, or smells of coolant... the only issue i have is temp guage fluctuating due to the thermostat not opening enough i guess and just not working properly... i will bring it to a dealer tomorrow to get fixed got quoted a 100 bux+ part and taxes. already had it tested with a pressure test to check for leaks and none found.

 

[dirt_cheap_fleetwood]

Its supposed to fluctuate, especially when driving in traffic. On a normal car driving in traffic it can go from 220-230 when stopped to as low as 185-190 when you start driving again. The thermostat will open and close when it needs to to keep the engine in operating temperature. If the car does not overheat the the thermostat is opening far enough. The dealer is trying to jip you.

The only reason you need to replace it is the engine is either constantly cold (you will not get cabin heat if that is the case) or if the engine overheats for no other explanation. If neither of those are occurring the thermostat is working fine. A normal thermostat will start to open at around 180 but will not be fully open until near 215, so there will always be temperature differences as you drive. Your fans will then kick on at around 223 to keep the engine from getting to hot.

 

[AMENCADDY]

How's the weather where you are? could the increase in your temp gauge reading be due to "global warming"! :cool2:

 

[drapedupDTS]

well i took the car to the dealer today.... and comes out they saying its a head or head gasket issue... left the dealership pretty much devastated with the 5K pricetag for the repair... so i carefully drove the car back home with in the past few weeks the car got hot after a few minutes... which now it runs just fine... drove it about 25 miles total today and no problems... the service guy said that i was loosing collant from my overflow tank outlet... but the thermostat and all are fine... i only plan on keeping this car for about 10 more months... so i really dont feel like paying 5k on a car maybe work 7k... more than likely will get my uncle to fix it or a bottle of steel seal... i've read good unbiased reviews on the product.

at this time i am really rethinking about getting another 4.6, 07 dts next year...

 

[Ranger]

Forget the repair in a bottle. It won't work.

 

[dirt_cheap_fleetwood]

Feel the inside of your exhaust pipe. If it feels slimy then your head gaskets are toast. If not then you shouldn't worry too much. Check your engine oil for coolant and the coolant for oil. If there is one in the other the head gaskets toast.

 

[drapedupDTS]

Feel the inside of your exhaust pipe. If it feels slimy then your head gaskets are toast. If not then you shouldn't worry too much. Check your engine oil for coolant and the coolant for oil. If there is one in the other the head gaskets toast.

no slimy exhaust just your reg dry black soot... as its always had... just had a oil change last week and they found nothing, also just had my coolant checked yesterday and they found nothing... drove the car to the store and work and no signs at all...

 

[dirt_cheap_fleetwood]

Then don't worry about the head gaskets. It is a very common problem but your car seems fine. The dealer is just trying to scare you into forking over $5k.

 

[kckranz]

I had this symptom on my Nissan Altima and it turned out to be a loose connection on the coolant temperature sensor.

 

[AMENCADDY]

Then don't worry about the head gaskets. It is a very common problem but your car seems fine. The dealer is just trying to scare you into forking over $5k.

:yeah: I think I know where the SLIME is located. Yet another dishonest money grubbing liar mechanic using scare tactics. :killer:

 

[drapedupDTS]

yeah 3 days later and no signs of overheating whatsoever... looks like what the shop did was fill my overflow as full as possible and was dripping from the tanks cap opening... making me think i had a leak just starting when i left the shop... the thing that sucks i paid em 90 bux to diagnose my issue when there wasnt any issue at all...

 

[AMENCADDY]

A-A-A--r-r-r-r-r-gh!!!!!!:helpless: that is really just such a drag! :canttalk:

 

[cady97dev]

Have to love them dealerships????? Money hungry Bastards!!!!! Tough to find GOOD HONEST MEN TODAY!!! Hope your caddy runs good and it was just a little low in coolant. Stay far away from that dealer!

 

[Mr 5.19.]

Reasons like this is why I stay away from the dealer. I only go there every now and then to buy parts I can't get on my own. I get a break on pricing so its all good on that end.