How to Change the Thermostat on a '99 Camaro V6

If you want your 1999 V6 Camaro to continue to perform in at its best--and I know you do--one thing you'll need to do is ensure the engine runs at an optimal temperature. The cooler the engine runs, the more horsepower it can generate. If the thermostat in your Camaro has begun to fail, the engine's operating temperatures can be robbing horsepower from you. A replacement thermostat is not an expensive part to replace, and you can replace it by yourself with just a few tools and the know-how provided here.

Instructions

1

Locate the thermostat housing. It's positioned on the right front corner of the intake manifold toward the front of your 1999 Camaro's engine bay. It's connected to the black radiator intake hose whose other end is connected to the top of the radiator. The hose does not have to be removed to change the thermostat, but it is recommended you remove it to make the job easier. To remove the hose from the housing, unscrew the metal band clamp that holds the hose to the housing with a screwdriver.

2

Remove the two bolts that hold the thermostat housing to the intake manifold. Wipe any leftover grease off the bolts and apply a small amount of anti seize grease to the bolt threads. The bolts can become extremely hot due to heat from the intake manifold, and adding a bit of anti-seize grease will make it easier to get the bolts out and should prevent the bolt heads from breaking in the future.

3

Pull the thermostat and the thermostat gasket out of the intake manifold. The thermostat sits on a lip that is machined inside the intake manifold; it is not bolted into place. You may need a small scraper to remove the gasket. To keep contaminants from getting into the coolant system, be sure you don't get any dirt or gasket pieces inside the intake manifold.

4

Place the new thermostat into the intake manifold and place a new gasket on top of it. Bolt the thermostat housing back into place and reattach the radiator hose (if you removed it previously.)