How can you change the thermostat of a 1997 Buick Skylark Limited?

Answer

If it's the same as a 1996 Buick Somerset, then... WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF AND COOL, remove the radiator cap. It's actually not on the radiator. Follow the top hose off the radiator to the engine block. Remove that cap. It should be full of antifreeze and or water and you may not see the thermostat, but it's there. Stick your finger in the throat and you'll feel the top of the thermostat. You can pull it straight out. It's 3 or 4 inches long, total.

--Edited 5/30/2006

Actually it's not the same as that vehicle. It's located on the driver side under the air intake/mass air flow housing (which has to be removed) and there are 2 bolts holding its housing in place. The top bolt isn't that bad to get to but the bottom, well it can be a bit tricky getting it back in (you have to use tips of your finger to get it started and hopefully you have somewhat small hands as it's quite a tight fit. I've replaced mine with not much trouble but plan on spending about 2 hours or so on it since you'll have to remove several things just to get to it and I'd suggest you take pictures or even better yet a video of the area you're working on if you've not worked on this vehicle before and/or don't know a lot about what you're doing.

First answer by ID1116391129. Last edit by Jmebd. Contributor trust: 45 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 63 [recommend question]