95 Grand Am Thermostat problem! HELP

[scully1979]

Okay guys, I got one problem fixed and now we're on to something new. I just replaced my thermostat 6 months or so ago, and now it is sticking again. This has caused a crack in my radiator. So my question is, can anyone recommend a thermostat that may hold up longer? I heard that this Grand Am model has problems with the thermostat b/c it is to close to the manifold and gets too hot. I'm replacing the thermostat and radiator this weekend and wanted to see if anybody had any suggestions. Thanks for everyone's help in advance!!

[skibum1111]

Ok I'm going to assume (I know dangerous thing here...) that you have a quad 4 in your car. I've had many thermostat issues in the past, and they are a real joy to replace as you have to get under the car to change it. I had one from the dealer parts department, turned out to be defective (stuck closed in december), one from autozone which the new water pump pressurized the system enough to force it open, causing the car to basically never heat up on the highway, and several from advanced auto parts, the first one did the same thing as the one from autozone, the second one worked just fine. Bring your old one in and make sure the one you get is the same size, alot of parts stores and dealer parts departments seem to confuse these thermostats with the ones for the 2.2's and 2.4's. If they don't match up, have them look up one for a 94 quad 4 and see if that matches-- they both use the same thermostat. Good luck, let us know if you invent any new words while crawling around under your car.

[Hoags]

Ski, I am able to expand the "Grand Am" vocabulary almost every time I open the hood. It has become an adventure, it has gotten to the point that all I can do is laugh. It isn't worth getting that upset about, Like they say " It's only a car".

[scully1979]

Sorry guys, I guess I could have told ya a little more about my car, huh? 95 Grand Am you already know. It's a GT coupe V6. And so far the only thing I've invented while dealing with this car and it's MANY problems is a new name for it.... PIECE!!
Thanks for the advice Ski, I wasn't sure if getting a higher temp thermostat would make a difference with the "sticking" problem or not. Thanks again.

[gmack221]

I've had the best luck with dealer thermostat's, or in a pinch get a good one from Napa. Autozone thremostat's have stuck closed on me one too many times. Good luck, atleast its not a quad 4! They have the thermostat and water pump on the backside of the motor, between the motor & firewall, on one side is the timing chain cover & the other is the exhaust.

[skibum1111]

Yup and the only time I ever had an easy time changing the thermostat on a quad motor was when I changed the head on mine a few weeks ago, took 2 minutes to change the thermostat. Of course, it took 12 hours in 95 degree heat with high humidity to get the head off and the car put back together, then another trip to the dealer parts department for the exhaust donut.

[scully1979]

So now I've replaced the radiator and bought a dealer thermostat. This STUPID car is still overheating!! The fan seems to be working fine, and I'm not losing coolant? Anyone care to take a guess at what the next thing is I need to replace.... other than the car itself? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[skibum1111]

Sounds like either a bad water pump or alot of air trapped in the system somewhere. Did you burp the car?

[xeroinfinity]

you guys know you can test the thermostat before you install it. You just need a pan-o-water and a thermometer. Boil the water up to 185, or 195 whatever youre using, and drop it in the Hot H2O and what it work or not. I generally test everyone I install and,knock on wood , I've had no complaints or thermostat failures. So you reall have to get under the car on Quad 4's. I've never changed one for them. But it's on My agenda for the week. Got a 95' GA overheating(thermostat) waiting to be looked at. Also I'm sure I'll be (in)-venting all kinds of vocabulary. LOL !

[skibum1111]

Yup to change the thermostat on a quad its from the bottom. Thats the only way to get at the bolt holding the lower pipe to the oil pan. They really suck, just be happy its in the summer and not december like mine was.