i just talked with my mechanic (dropped off the engine for my 93 SSEi) about my current issue with my LTZ. It hasn't been heating up correctly later, only getting to about 120-140 (guessing) on the temp guage. It also has been taking longer for the interior of the car to heat up. The car is the L36, and I was wondering what would be needed to replace this myself. The mechanic stated that I needed to remove an exhaust pipe to get at it properly.

Questions I have are, is this an easy, do-it-yourself job, or should I let my mechanic do it? and would a lower thermostat help and on a completely stock L36 as far as gas mileage goes? i'm not looking for performance out of it yet. And what would the cost for the Thermostat be and could I get it at a local parts store? Thanks.

Remove the EXHAUST Pipe???!!! The thermostats for our cars are just beneath the top radiator hose. Just run your hand(when the car is cool) over the top hose from the radiator on back and you should come to the thermostat housing. The thermo is beneath that housing and you only have to remove the one(or maybe two) bolts to get to it. It'* a locally stocked item and you should be able to get it at just about any local auto parts store. Personally, I would get a 195 degree thermostat simply because it'* cold outside where you live now and this would increase your gas milage simply because the computer presently thinks the car is cold and is running a richer fuel mixture. Don't forget to get a new gasket(or O-Ring, I forgot which it is at the moment) with the thermostat. The cost is generally less than 5 bucks American. Also, after you refill the radiator with fresh coolant, leave the radiator cap off when you start the car and warm it up to get any air out of the system.

Correct on the location... mechanic was a little off on it. $28 total cost to replace it. now she warms up again. But I have a question, how hot do the L36 engines get after running a bit with the stock Thermostat? Mine seems to be running around 160 right now, which seems low, but it could be just the cold. i thought the stock Thermostat was a 195 degree?

You would think that IF they installed a stock 195 degree thermo that the coolant temp would reach about 195. But if it is THAT cold....well.....maybe it will take a little longer to get up to operating temperature. But it should get closer to 195 than 160. Just how cold is it? I know the temperature here in NJ is going to drop tomorrow from near 60, where it is now, to below 30.