Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Change the thermostat...Duh!!

[WyoJim]

Three little bolts, two came loose and one was so tight the socket rounded the corners off.

Is there some new fangled way to get a hold of it? Or do I have to remove the alternator and drill the head off of it?

 

[willyslover]

did you use a 6 point socket yet ???

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Try what Willylover said. You could try small Vicegrips. It shouldn't be that tight. Try to take it out as if you need to re-use it. It might be tough to find that length & metric thead at a hardware store. Might need to go to Cummins or Dodge.

 

[Mundgyver]

One Dremmel tool + one cutter + 10 minutes of cutting time = 1 large standard slot in the middle of the bolt head. Course this should only be done when you have thoroughly trashed out, oblitorated, rounded off, and have come to your wit's end with knuckle banging and of course the all important $%^#@)(*&><??? - Ah Crud!!.



Good luck

 

[WyoJim]

Well, you guys are alright. Thats what the "Duh" was for in the title of this thread. I had overlooked the obvious. I found my 1/4" drive sockets and it had a 6 pt. and it worked.

Crisis solved by the TDR. Thanks you guys. I was about to rig up the Dremmel. That would probably have worked too. Double "duh".

 

[willyslover]

buy yourself a set of 6 points in 1/2" drive and 3/8" drive... the best tools to have in the box... especially in the stuck or heat areas. . 9 times out of 10 you will be off without a hitch... it will get so you grab them before the 12 pt. ones

 

[WyoJim]

willyslover, You are probably right and I probably will buy at least a 3/8 drive set of 6 pts.



By the way, I heated the old and new thermostat in a pan of water. By 200 degrees the new one was open two times farther than the old one. Now I will carry the old one for a spare.



Thanks again... .

 

[jlccc]

Originally posted by willyslover

did you use a 6 point socket yet ???

Also, I think it's an 8mm. You were using a metric socket, right?

 

[WyoJim]

jlcc... You are correct, it is an 8mm. The 8mm 12 pt slipped, the 8mm box wrench slipped, the 8mm open end wrench slipped and my vice grips slipped.

But the 6 pt 8mm loosened it.

Thanks again willyslover.

 

[nickleinonen]

the only 12pt stuff i have is my wrenches. 99% of my sockets are 6pt. good ol' canadian tire branded stuff. . if it breaks, lifetime warrenty. if CT don't honor the warrenty, home depot will