Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Aztek and 2003 Buick Rendezvous. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: An electric fan under the hood can start up even when the engine is not running and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan.

CAUTION: To help avoid personal injury or damage to the vehicle, a bent, cracked, or damaged fan blade or housing should always be replaced.

Important: If abnormal noise or vibration is felt from the engine compartment, inspect and clean any foreign material from the cooling fan blades.

Turn the ignition off.
Remove the cooling fan and shroud assembly. Refer to COOLING FAN REPLACEMENT - ELECTRIC .

Fig 1: Removing Cooling Fan And Shroud Assembly
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Important: Turn the cooling fan nut clockwise to loosen.
Remove the cooling fan nut.
Remove the cooling fan from the shroud.
Disconnect the electrical connector from the cooling fan motor.
Remove the screws from the cooling fan motor.
Remove the cooling fan motor.

Fig 2: Removing Screws And Cooling Fan Motor

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Remove the air cleaner and duct assembly.
Drain the coolant until the coolant level is below the thermostat. Refer to DRAINING AND FILLING COOLING SYSTEM .
Remove the crossover exhaust pipe. Refer to EXHAUST CROSSOVER PIPE REPLACEMENT in Engine Exhaust.
Remove the radiator hose from the thermostat housing.
Remove the thermostat housing bolts and clean any sealer from the bolt threads.
Remove the thermostat housing and gasket.

Fig 1: Removing Thermostat Housing And Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the thermostat.
Clean the mating surfaces.

Fig 2: Removing Thermostat

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.