If this is the wrong place for this question, sorry in advance.

My sunfire has been leaking coolant and running hot when sitting still, and the coolant system light is on.

Mechanic told me my bypass hose is leaking, needs to be replaced. Need to replace the thermostat valve and flush the system.

said he'd do it for $260 plus tax. Is that reasonable?

Except for flushing the system, can i change the bypass hose and/or the thermostat valve myself?

I did swap out the blower control module on my '93 SSE, thanks to you guys and that was no big deal at all.

Is this issue more sophisticated? I don't even know where the bypass hose or the thermostat valve are on the engine.


thanks

HW

The hose should be easy enough to change on your own. As well as the thermostat or Thermostat valve.

Parts are most likely around $40 US.

not exactly sure what a bypass hose is, but most cooling system hoses are cheap. i'd guess it comes off the overflow tank (there are 2 small ones in my mom'* 02 sunfire).

liberally $20 for a new hose
$10 for clamps
$10 for a thermostat
$20 to flush yourself

so i'd estimate $60 tops just for parts. i could be very wrong, but $260 sounds VERY stiff.

does any one have any diagrams/instructions on where the thermostat vale is located on the engine? I can't see where there is a cap for the radiator from looking at the top of the engine. There is only access to the overflow tank. Is the hose from the radiator to the overflow tank the bypass hose?

The bypass will be the one leaking.

Sorry..no diagram in my collection.

thanks dr. obvious i mean bill

nobody can tell me where the thermostat is?

Is this a Sunfire with the 2.2, or the GT with the 2.4 Twin cam?

oh the 2.2

To the left of the exhaust manifold, between the rubber hose connection, and long coolant pipe. Here is a few pics.