3.3 thermostat replacement - follow up

Hi!

It is thermostat replacement time on my 89 Century with the 3.3. I can see that it is really buried. A previous poster had my same experience, but got no reply, so I thought I would try now, 3 months later:

"The Tstat cover has two fasteners holding it down...one is a standard hex head bolt, the other is like all-thread. The all-thread not only holds down one side of the cover, it also holds a mounting bracket for a black tube that protrudes from the cover. This tube connects to a heater hose going through the firewall. I can't pull the tube out of the cover, and I can't determine if it is held captive inside the cover. The tube must be removed before I can access the nut holding down the Tstat cover."

Is this tube threaded, or compression fit, or what? I don't want to break anything trying to get it out.

Also, does anyone know WHY they chose to locate the thermostat where they did on this engine?

Thanks in advance!

Remove the nut that holds the by pass hose down. There is another bolt, 15mm holding the bypass hose secure. Remove that too. The by- pass hose slides out. If it does not slide out, do not panic. Just leave it loose. Remove the two stat bolts, one is a stud, the one with the nut on. It is a pretty long bolt. The bypass hose bracket will come in the way here. See if the hose comes off easily. If it does, remove it and complete the job. Replace the hose "o" ring with a new one. If it does not come off, bend the bracket away from the stud enought so that the bolt will clear. Replace the stat, check for leaks and radiator fan operation.
Good Luck.

On this motor you need to remove the wiring harness from the throttle body assembly (IACM, TPS, MAF) and remove those items, then you will be able to attack the thermostat

Thanks so much for all of your help! With your input, I was able to finish the job. I was really afraid of yanking too hard on that little by-pass line, but once I knewhow it was in there, I gave a good tug and out it came.

I did end up removing - carefully - the MAF so that I could get at the second bolt, as it was really in there tight and I needed more access to it.

Thanks again!