whats the best way to get to the last bolt on the thermostat housing? i cant seem to get that fan cover off either anyone have any ideas? thanks. its on a i6 4.0

 

Does it look like this?
if so 1/2" wrench on top and a 1/2" deep well socket on the bottom.
The picture is of a 96. Is yours different?

 

my 4.0 is in a xj. idk if that makes a difference. the fan is directly in the way on the thermostat. i got the top bolt out no broblem its that danm last bolt

 

anyone else?

 

What's idk?

 

i dont know. sorry

 

Actually idk what's wrong with me, Idk how I miss this stuff, sometimes things just fly right on by and I never knew it was there.

 

You must be Laughing!

How could someone ask "what's "I don't know""

It hurts my head thinking about it, but as long as I keep posting someone might see your thread and aks "actually know something".

 

lol

 

Wow thats a nice clean engine bay. Eat off that valve cover. Awesome!

 

Thanks any ideas on the problem at hand (X91j)?

 

A deep socket or a regular socket with a small extension should work. A socket wrench with a flexible head will allow you to get around the fan shroud. It's a fairly straight forward procedure and should take less than an hour's labor at a local repair facility. But I know that you can do it.

 

I've never had to take the fan out of an XJ to change the thermostat, but I usually have to loosen the belt. It runs right across the head of th elower screw, which gets it in the way.

No need to remove the belt, just loosen it. You could probably also come up with some variety of metal clip to pull it out of the way (I've been thining about that, but haven't designed one...) but loosening the belt lets me inspect other things anyhow.

NB: As far as the fan shrouds go, I've been replacing hardware on all of the ones I come across. Use 1/4" thumbscrews and clip nuts to replace the oddball OEM stuff - makes life much easier!

NB: Whenever the thermostat housing screws come out, replace them. Unless you've previously replaced them using either CRES, brass, or bronze. They tend to corrode over time. If all you can get is carbon steel, use SAE5 (the softer steel is less subject to weakening due to corrosion,) and coat the threads and shank with RTV. If you use CRES, brass, or bronze, coat the threads with either RTV or PTFE paste to seal them (both screw holes protrude into the water jacket, IIRC.)

 

Just use a 1/4" drive ratchet with a 1/2" deep well socket and you'll have plenty of room between the fan shroud and the housing bolt. The deep well also holds the belt out of the way for the bolt. Just did it yesterday when I changed t-stats.

 

You dont have a jeep anyway... Whos are you working on?

Listen to 5-90, he knows his stuff.