Chevy venture thermostat replacement

Replacing the thermostat on Chevy Venture, aka Pontiac Montana, Trans Sport, aka Oldsmobile Silhouette. And many other GM cars with 3.1 or 3.4L SFI or EFI engines.
Sorry for the audio in Russian, but I don't feel like making another audio track in English enjoy the view.
This job probably could be done with less parts removed but I went with removing all I could to ease the access as my van is clean and has no rust and everything comes apart really easy. Book says to remove the crosspipe which I can't see how possible without rotating the engine to the service position.

[@MattRiales]

Like the others said, i wish it was in English, but your hands speak the universal language. It avoids removing that exhaust cross bar. Exactly what i was looking for. Thank you for taking the time to film and edit this!

[@karlkable]

This was the first time I have ever watched a video in russian. thanks

[@wizz1325]

This is the best video for replacing the thermostat, actually for removing the thermostat...removing the throttle body makes removing thermostat much much easier...takes only a few minutes and saves much knuckle banging and hassle. Thank you Sergey for the video!

[@martind586]

+wizzin bya question - what should one pay to replace a thermostat - dealer cost and retail cost - do you know?

[@wizz1325]

you should not have to pay anything...the stupid people that designed these engines should be held responsible and pay with their bloody knuckles

[@wizz1325]

but seriously, this is a time consuming job for such a small part and I suppose $200 - $400 would be the going rate...I personally would never do it again and would trade in my vehicle for a Ford or Dodge. GM engineers are the worst!

[@wizz1325]

and by the way, I replaced mine from the confines of my electric wheelchair...

[@eggbert76]

Thank you for the video. It helped me with a couple of problems, one of them; removing the throttle body and the other gaining more access to the EGR valve.

[@motoozark4361]

The exhaust manifold DOES NOT have to come off. I just did this job and it can be done much easier then all of the youtube videos I've seen showing you how to do it. You will need a 13mm VW carb wrench which can be bought on ebay. You don't need to remove anything accept the air box duct and lid Once thats all out of the way go under the crossover pipe with the vw wrench and get it on the bottom housing bolt, it helps to have a flat head screw driver above the crossover helping get the wrench on the bolt. Once that bolt is broke loose, use your index finder on your right arm still reached under the crossover bar and the flat head coming in from the top to back the bolt out. Go ahead and take it out and use a socket to remove the top bolt. Remove the housing and bad thermostat. Apply a thin line of silicone around the rubber o-ring on the new thermostat on the side that faces in the engine and position is in there. let it cure for 24 hours. Now prior to putting the housing back on, put the bottom bolt back in barely screwed in at all, by about one thread. Remove the two bolts on the on the heat shield at the front of the engine, you dont have to remove the heat shield removing these bolts will free it up enough to get the thermostat housing past it and the thermostat and onto the bottom bolt that is barely started into the block. You may need to use the flathead to help push the shield out of the way as you work the housing on. You'll have to come in from the top and it might take a couple of tries but its doable. Be careful not to knock the thermostat loose or you'll have to re-silicone it and wait another day, it should be pretty sturdy though if the silicone cured all the way. Once you got the thermostat on the bottom bolt, go ahead and start the top bolt to keep it in place then put the bottom bolt in the same way you took it out, right hand index finger on the bottom and flathead screwdriver on the top, then tighten with carb wrench.

[@solcarTES]

We did this replacement yesterday, no need to take half the car apart take off the air filter housing and use an open wrench/rachet combo to take off the bottom bolt, a bit tricky but can be done , then the upper bolt and the thermostat comes out, put the new one in and you are done.

[@NRB_75]

Carlos Mansilla i have a 2003 chevy venture. i am no mechanic so is it easier to change out compared to this video? i am having trouble finding decent vids

[@hugh3rdof5]

Glad it was easier for you. Yet it's not as simple as you suggest. Did you do this on a Montana or Venture? (as in the video) As I noted above, on my second try at this, using ratcheting wrenches, I did manage to get both bolts off.... so concur with you on that for my vehicle, that it is possible. Yet I find not enough room to slide thermostat out.... without mangling the thermostat inside. (and impossible to re-install it over a new thermostat)

[@ultiminiohernandez773]

Carlos Mansilla tank you,, it works

[@geodoughty6468]

Good video. Very thorough and pretty professional. The language isn't really a stumbling block if you can recognize what is being done and the different parts of the vehicle. Nicely done. Thanks for sharing!

[@ednja]

I just did the same job. I didn't remove the cruise control. I didn't remove the air filter box (the big one), I didn't remove the steel water pipe, I didn't remove the connector from the EGR valve, but I did remove everything else that he removed. I didn't use silicone. I used a curved wrench to remove the bottom bolt from the thermostat housing. The bottom bolt doesn't have to be removed completely, but it has to be loosened all the ways almost to the point of coming out so there's room to move the housing between the thermostat and the head of the bolt. Most of the loosening and tightening can be done by hand, with left fingers from the top and left fingers from underneath the cross pipe - that is if the threads are clean enough to allow being turned by hand. The Hayne's manual is wrong about removing the cross pipe. The hardest part of the job is the stress felt when trying to get at the bottom bolt and wondering the best way of doing it. To remove the cross pipe you have to remove bolts at the back of the engine that aren't accessible without tilting the engine and even then it would be difficult to get at. it's best to remove the throttle body and buy a new throttle body gasket for $3. One thing not shown on the video is re-installing a tube that he pulled out at 7:34 from the top of the air intake duct. The other end of this tube goes into a hole at the back of the engine. What I did was put the end back into the top of the intake duct then I used a mirror and flash light to look for a hole near the other end. Then I was able to reach behind and force the hose back to where it goes. It helps to install the back end of the hose first and then install the intake duct end. It's a good idea to make note of the location of this hose before removing it along with the intake duct. I used a camera to take pictures during disassembly just in case I forget where something goes.

[@moygtorres]

Good video, don't speak Russian but I almost could understand by your actions. Thanks!

[@williemorales9512]

Sergey, Thank you so much for making this video. I do not understand Russian, but I understood all of your actions. I was able to change the thermostat on my 2003 chevy venture. Great Job!!!!

[@peterblake548]

Sergey The comment I made about a comparison between the thermostat replacement of the Chevy Venture thermostat and the Oldsmobile Firenza thermostat was a sort of American joke. The Firenza thermostat has a radiator cap attached to the upper portion and changes with a quarter turn twist. Ten second change at most. Part of the reason GM is loosing out to Toyota. great video - your English is far better ( by infinite orders of magnitude) than my Russian

[@motorhead6763]

I have a venture 04...300k miles all original motor trans. Best car I ever had uses zero oil. I out kc head gasket sealer in before leaks Eben start. Change trans fluid with suction gun every year. I put STP in oil. Car runs perfect.Put Lucas no slip in trans also. Thermostat open now. Will fix or.put cardboard in front of radiator as in Russia. Tip change rear spark plugs from underneath behind trans 5 minutes. Roll motor to.change alternator easy. Fuel pump.and wheel hubs main issue with all GM. שלום

[@sergeyatlanta]

04 is very reliable year for this car because the lower intake gasket material was changed and had no problems unlike earlier years of this GM engine. I had it till 180k miles and sold to my friend. Still runs fine, I do not add anything, just change coolant and transmission fluid every 60k miles, oil and filter every 7k miles, brake fluid every two years. Changed steering fluid and shocks/struts once. Changed spark plugs at 120k miles and original ones were still fine, did not worth the effort.

[@GregLopez75]

Thanks for the video. I just had to replay a few parts but I got the job done. Thanks from Philadelphia, PA

[@sergeyatlanta]

For the bottom bolt I used the open end wrench and arm dexterity. That's one of the reasons why I removed so much stuff - to have more room. 13mm see @17:23 As for the coolant hose\piping above the crosspipe - you have to remove it to take the throttle body off to get a better view and access to this bottom bolt (see @25:21). I cleaned the throttle as well. If you are able to remove and put the bottom bolt back from underneath - no need too take the coolant pipe off. But it's tight there.

[@John-ge2ne]

Thank you. Mostly, I could see what you did. I appreciate you.

[@sergeyatlanta]

You're welcome. Glad to be of help. Funny, I just landed in Philly

[@EminHVAC]

Seroga I enjoyed you're video. I speak Russian really well and I understood everything you were saying lol. My mom is Russian.

[@JamienTina04]

I know that's right brother,no matter if it's in Russian or not all you gotta do is pay attention and that's free. I'm very happy to have watched this video,would've cost me 300.00 to have it done,did it solo in 2 and a half hours thanks a lot Sergey.It's not that bad just take your time its possible to complete the job thanks to youtube.

[@Braingateway]

Great video. Very professional and thorough. Really thanks for taking the time to share it.

[@UglyFireMedic]

Even though I only know about three words in Russian, I understood almost all of this. Thanks for the video. It makes me want to burn or sell the **** van now.

[@sandrasedgwickwilliams4130]

I wish I knew more about cars so that I could understand this video.

[@sergeyatlanta]

Hose clamp pliers/tool comes by many brands, mine was "Astro Pneumatic 9409A Hose Clamp Pliers" bought from Amazon. One of the best 30$ I've ever spent on tools.

[@kimberkimKC]

If you are about to do all of this...DON'T! remove the over flow reservoir, air filter COVER and hose going to throttle body, remove throttle body and BAM access to both bolts on the thermostat housing using an S shaped 13mm wrench worked best for me on the back one.

[@cbart3634]

You are absolutely right

[@marktatum7074]

i noticed that the thermostat housing's rear bolt hole is notched. so i guess i only have to loosen the rear bolt. awesome!!

[@bruteforce76]

Nice vid, you can really see what is needed to get the job done.Compared to Dodge vans this thermo looks to be a pain in the ass to access.

[@baludali6203]

Дружище Спасибо Большое!!! У меня Chevrolet транс Спорт, это Близнец Chevrolet Venture, очень необходима видео поддержка, Спасибо что записываешь видео, они очень полезны!!!!!!!

[@RoyBoyElUrbanCowboy]

Thanks for the tips Sir it was very helpful :) Greeting from Minnesota U.S.A

[@thinkuncagrizzthinktv7975]

at 16:20...that vice grip pliers is the truth...love my set

[@jamesnorthcutt7644]

Holly crap!! someone should get who ever designed this setup and make them replace the thermostat with no help!!!!!!! idiots!!!! Thanks for the video. it help way more then i can type. I have the ( Haynes repair manual ) It says to remove the exhaust cross over. You might as well pull the hole motor out. Thanks again.

[@robertpopen7091]

I have to do mine on a 2005 Pontiac Montana. I don't understand Russian but great video.

[@jesusvega5515]

Gracias excelente trabajo saludos desde México

[@miguelrivera-je6gz]

Un vídeo muy bueno, muchas gracias!!

[@wastedjason]

I thought he was insane and just taking apart the engine for the hell of it... then he finds the thermostat... no wonder I couldn't.

[@branman055]

I don't speak Russian but I understood every step, I guess a mechanical mind is universal. Thank You Sir. Now , I've got a pain in the ass job ahead of me. Why the hell did GM put the thermostat there?

[@martind586]

at 25.41 they make a " bent " wrench you can use to get to the 2nd bolt - you may not have to take off some of that stuff he did! p.s. Id replace with a stuck open ( if it goes bad )thermostat - so if it goes bad at least it will be stuck open and save the motor from damage.

[@AnthonyErbes1]

Might as well not even have a thermostat in at all. Defeats the purpose.

[@juancarlosordazayala7504]

Excelente vídeo se muestra todo bien, gracias es de gran ayuda

[@jusard1]

exactly what I need. but wish this was in English. just for details when camera is not focused on something you could be talking about.

[@dannyalber4290]

Thanks for this video, even if i dont understand russian. I will try this tomorrow and save 1000 swedish kr.

[@DomiSuria1407]

thank you very much for this video it helpme alot .,,God bless ,i save 300. dollars .thanks brooo

[@eldaddio9100]

I thought this was about changing the Thermostat not taking the whole Fucking Front engine compartment APART !! JUST BUT VOLUME ON MUTE AND I JUST SCROLLED TILL I FOUND THE WAY TO GET THE BOTTOM BOLT OFF 😁

[@sergeyatlanta]

You're welcome. If your car is not crusty, it's not as much of the pain but just takes a lot of time with nonstop frustration "WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT!!!"

[@GregLopez75]

Ohh yeah, the lower bolt on the thermostat housing is a pain. 13mm box wrench (preferably ratcheting) is the only way to remove it. The exhaust manifold shroud prevents using a socket and ratchet.

[@badbob85037]

The future where everything is good. Wiring as thin as a hair. Switches made out of plastic, and thermostats needing half the engine removed to reach. This is coming from a guy that never has owned a Ford. Fuck GM! Now to put the heat on that 13 wrench and bend it for the job at hand. Why can't the wife drive a 74 K-10 like the rest of us? Unlike the Venture this video was great

[@EminHVAC]

Hahaha I enjoyed you're comment

[@eriksalexandrini8825]

boljshoe spasibo za pouchenie !!! klass !

[@XJRMANIAC]

Good video. Fuck GM for putting the thermostat there.

[@robertncc546]

I sure wish I could understand a single damn word he said. I guess all the Russian mechanics will benefit greatly.

[@sergeyatlanta]

+Robert NCC Well, it was mostly curses anyway :) kidding.

[@robertncc546]

+sergey.atlanta Rats I would really like to improve my Russian curses! But the video was still useful for me, because I watched you take off enough parts to convince to take it to a real mechanic

[@wisecompound9062]

english please I need to do this and can not follow you in Russian

[@briannashaddon1201]

mechanics is a universal language. ig you cant watch him and follow along then take it to a pro bro lol

[@mrstl3000]

Right pissed me off hearing this

[@eddiebug1]

At least he's talking i hate the people that say nothing at all

[@roundback5502]

💁🏻‍♂️

[@ayudameporfavor1146]

Bruh​@@briannashaddon1201

[@mikemiller8717]

I need a English version

[@lovinghusband1]

Your great!

[@samsmit812]

как слить актифриз с блока двигателя? краник на радиаторе сливает только то, что ечть в радиаторе

[@lilsmoke1354]

I refuse to sit here watch this video and let this guy waste 30 minutes of my life time I know I wouldn't get back

[@needparalegal]

They sell chevy venture in Russia?

[@gloomy2931]

I just did this I was afraid I would have to take the exhaust out

[@amberwhite1668]

wtf why can't I find this in ENGLISH

[@eldaddio9100]

It is in English !! Just Russian English 😂

[@sergeyatlanta]

Ha-ha-ha. Good luck there. I thought that myself but you can't remove the thermostat cover like that while having the thermostat in there. You really have to completely undo the rear bolt. For that you should have eyes at your fingers and some dexterity in your arm and hand. The more you remove the less dexterity you will need for that bolt.

[@chaelglemikz329]

how to replace crankcase cover.

[@peterblake548]

Sergei - Would you do a comparison to an oldsmobile fierenza thermostat replacement - same car company - the Venture is a newer model so it must be better. GM - wake up !!

[@jamessebastian9822]

Amazon... GM thermostat wrench gets that lower bolt easily

[@briannashaddon1201]

Sergey what if you came in from the bottom is it more accessible I have a pit

[@sergeyatlanta]

no. It would not help

[@MattRiales]

i just noticed i watched this exactly one year after you posted it. What did you use to get the bottom bolt out? and did you say it was a waste of time removing the black hose that is on top of the exhaust?

[@sergeyatlanta]

Read the description

[@sergeyatlanta]

Astro Pneumatic (AST9409A) Hose Clamp Pliers

[@jamesbryson9542]

Is there anything he's NOT going to disassemble?

[@AnthonyErbes1]

Better than taking off the exhaust cross over pipe and heat shield. That what the manual say to do but its even more of a bitch.

[@WRK1958]

you showed the throttle body in you hands after disconnecting it. Inside the chamber that the throttle body bolts to there is a buildup of carbon in the center of mine. Do you recommend cleaning this out with cleaner.

[@sergeyatlanta]

Yes, that's what I was telling in the video, that it would not hurt to clean it with throttle body cleaner.

[@hugh3rdof5]

+sergey.atlanta , ah, therein, yet another frustrating aspect of this otherwise wonderful video detail. Great camera work! (I too have long had the EGR code thrown, even after replacement -- and I've been told I need to clean out that upper intake manifold/plenum.... and now I "see" how taking off the carb. assembly may not be so difficult.) Yes, you "show" us much. BUT your "telling" is in Russian -- and as such, for 99.99 % of your viewers, that part of your "telling" is utterly wasted breath. I've watched this video now a dozen times, and yes, even without the audio, it's far more helpful than similar, lousy short cut videos by RichPinda et.al. But this too, frustrating. Can imagine/guess that at multiple spots, you were sharing significant wisdom & experience with "somebody." Honestly Sergey, his has the potential to be a superb video. Yes, 3 years ago, you apparently didn't "feel like" adding an english voice over. Yet if you are as good with this technology as your camera work, and with your fine english text skills, maybe, just maybe, you might now go back and provide us with some serious english text tips on screen.... maybe not a full translation, but at least summations of what you were saying at various key spots. Thanks for considering this. Again, great video.... even without the audio.

[@mikegrant1090]

Wish video was translated in English shaking my head

[@joed7779]

Too much work for a thermostat replacement. GM should cover this part lifetime with a free one time replacement just for the fact that they had some dumb ass design the location of the thermostat, with GM approving it! My 2003 Venture only has heat when driving. When i am at a stop i have no heat and the thermostat gauge starts moving hotter. I replaced the radiator and still have the same problem. Next i was thinking of changing the cabin filter located behind the glove compartment. Not sure what is causing the problem.. Head gasket, water pump, thermostat? Any suggestions out there?

[@deandimples3465]

I was told this is a low anti freeze problem, check your fluid in the radiator not the over flow tank.

[@eggbert76]

Dean Dimples Yes, I had this same condition. While it might be a thermostat problem, definitely check the level in the radiator not the reservoir/overflow tank first. I found very little to no fluid in the actual radiator and filling it fixed the problem. Note to the placement/design: While I realize you can't make everything accessible within a given space, this is a crazy amount of effort to change a thermostat. And if there's an easier way, please post a video.

[@robhenderson1832]

Just shoot me in the head! I would end up setting the van on fire before going through all this crap. Goes to show you: this is a pain in the rear end no matter what language you hear it in. Well done repair video.

[@sowhoaful]

the tool that you are using to unhook the clamp?

[@WRK1958]

how are you getting the hose off of the line that runs up behind the brake reservoir?

[@sergeyatlanta]

+William Kihn If you mean the heater core hose, if I remember right they are quick connects. You need to push white plastic inner part deeper into black outer part and pull apart. There is a "quick connect tool" for that, but you can get by improvising.

[@azatalbay7582]

Uvajayemiy Sergey, A vy ne podskajite kak nozivayetsya instrumet s kotorom vy snimali homut i gde mojno kupit? Potom yestli u vas video kak menyat Cylynder Head Gaskets for Chevy Venture? Spasibo, AA

[@sergeyatlanta]

Not enough information. What do you mean by "turn on"?

[@sowhoaful]

can you tell me what this tool is called that your using?

[@MrBubbadon]

Sergey you are a good guy and this is a good video but you are in America. Get someone who speaks English

[@ednja]

Was it really necessary to put silicone sealant on the thermostat/thermostat housing gasket?

[@sergeyatlanta]

ed nja It was not sealant but silicone grease, just to lubricate gasket a little. Not necessary, just my habit on all rubber parts

[@ednja]

sergey.atlanta Okay, thanks for the video. I didn't see it until after I had already done mine, but it would have been helpful for me to see it before I did mine because it does have some good information in it and although I don't understand the russian, the video work of the details was done very well. One thing that I learned from the video is how to remove the connector from the EGR. I tried removing that for about 20 seconds and wasn't figuring it out fast enough so I chose to just leave it. I was considering also removing the steel coolant pipe because the flange that went over the throttle bottle stud was in the way for removing the stud. I found it had enough movement in it to hold it out of the way while removing the stud so I left it. Your video doesn't show how you disconnected that pipe from the water pump. I'd like to see the details on how that was done.

[@WRK1958]

why are you explaining this in Russian. Your written responses are English. Looks like your good at what your going but I have no idea what you're saying

[@sergeyatlanta]

+William Kihn That's becasue I have a SWCBD. Since I was born, the only folks I could speak with till 25 were Russians. But the literature I read was in English. Since than I'm writing in English and speaking in Russian. If you will ask me to write something down you should speak to me in Russian and I will write it in English. And vice versa, I used to read english books to my grandmother, but in Russian. Makes my life in America a bit complicated, but not a big deal, if I need to talk to someone who doesn't understand Russian, we will just have a written conversation, I always have a pen and paper on me.

[@WRK1958]

did you take the bottom bolt out or just loosin it up?

[@sergeyatlanta]

+William Kihn I ended up removing it. At the beginning I thought loosening it would be enough, but I still could not get the thermostat cover off.

[@sergeyatlanta]

at what time mark?

[@juliodominguezculito7057]

La vanda

[@scorpionmermaid6186]

Is this the same set up for a 2003 chevy venture?

[@sergeyatlanta]

Scorpio Love81 , yes setup is the same for all GM 3.3 and 3.4L engines of that period.

[@jaybennett9026]

holy shit all of that just for a thermostat?

[@sergeyatlanta]

what engine and what country?

[@00belief00]

so all you guys understand Russian now ?!

[@AndrewWhatley]

Great Video! What is the name of the part removed at 24:33?

[@sergeyatlanta]

Andrew, it's throttle body.

[@hugh3rdof5]

Sergey -- your Russian matches my english swearing... :-) I've watched your video here several times over the years, as I've battled this awful job twice now. Wish I could speak Russian. Yet failing that, one narrow question: If I read your images right, you too could not get that thermostat housing off or on, with the thermostat in place.... That miserably placed exhaust wrap is too close. On the second try at this, with ratcheting wrenches, I managed to get the two thermostat cover bolts off, and now have a loose throttle body cover -- but it's caught on top of the thermostat. Again, as I can't translate your Russian, I'm left guessing as to your solution. Were you able to get the thermostat housing off AFTER you removed the throttle body and pulled away the coolant bypass pipe? Is that why you took them off?

[@sergeyatlanta]

hugh3rdof5 correct. The first approach was to try to get the housing off by just loosening the bottom screw, because there is a slot there. But the actual thermostat was too big and did not let the housing off. Some parts I removed for better view, some for better access. I cleaned throttle body while is was removed

[@Mark_1956]

Needs English subtitles.

[@sergeyatlanta]

Mark56 , yes that was the plan, but I'm too lazy and got my hands alway full with multiple projects.

[@pennytull7578]

@@sergeyatlanta Thanks for the video. Subtitles often get right in the middle of the pictures. All the imaging is outstanding. Better I can see, and then do.

[@mjglobal]

Kinds sucks i dont even understand one word. This guy is probably a master tech wherever he is from but does me little good.

[@KevAlberta]

Damn, burn

[@zoemayne]

15 minutes to do this on the 3.8L

[@ultiminiohernandez773]

let me know WEND you finish,,,lol😂😂😂

[@JellyMyBellyVR]

C

[@valerie9007]

Do not need to remove bottom bolt.

[@sergeyatlanta]

If you're lucky. That's what I tried first and it did not work.

[@mrhamburger6936]

looks like an all day job and never finished it

[@molczak7141]

Alright now lets redo the video in english haha JK

[@landerchad1]

How about english

[@rubentorres1001]

queeeeeee?....what...?

[@timothyriley9992]

Not in English

[@thualfaqqar]

I don't even know why have I watched this video !!!! I just changed my thermostat for only 40$ firm with 9.99 for thermostat it self ... I don't understand why r u paying 300$ for what ?! To charge for the labor ? BS FIND UR LOCAL CHEAP MECHANIC

[@Silkk32483]

ENGLISH!

[@DeathbringerDrago]

That is a load of shit where they put the thermostat. Sorry Russians I see your disappointment and I don't blame you.

[@69newark]

wtf,,,dont understand,,im out...

[@deepdoodle1]

Useless.