It's leaking from where it connects to the housing but don't know how to remove it

Radiator top hose or return hose, most likely cracked when you removed it to replace the housing. Undo the clamp at both ends of hose remove and replace.

Unscrew the bulb without removing the bulb housing if possible. Don't break any wiring!

Hi Will, Look at the engine and follow the top radiator hose to the place where it enters the engine. Where it connects is the thermostat housing. The domed part is what you are looking for, but if you don't know what it is and what it looks like how do you know it needs replacement? Regards John

If you have the V6 (2.5L) engine, be advised: it's a wearing task. Just getting to the radiator drain plug can be a problem without a 3/8 inch drive ratchet, a 3 inch extension, a universal joint. and a 19 mm socket. The drain plug is on the passenger side of the radiator on the engine side. The 19mm socket will fit over the drain plug to turn it open.
The coolant plumbing on this engine is the craziest I have ever seen. The thermostat is on the rear face of the engine (where the radiator hoses connect), but not on the upper hose where it connects to the upright pipe with the radiator cap on it, it is on the lower hose connection. Pull that hose off the housing, and remove the three bolts holding the thermostat housing to the engine. It will help if you first remove the big air inlet hose from the air filter housing to the throttle body. I wouldn't even bother with the thermostat till you have found the leak. Is any coolant leaking from the front of the engine, dripping off the bottom behind the crank pulley? That would be a water pump problem or SEAL, an o-ring on the back of the water pump. Now get on the driver's side and look around on the rear of engine nearest the firewall where engine and transaxle mate. Look down there for signs of coolant coming from rear of engine and running down onto the transaxle case. There is a metal pipe laying in the valley below the lower intake manifold, connecting the water pump at the front and the rear housing where the radiator hoses and heater hoses connect. This metal pipe uses an o-ring for a seal into the water pump, and the same size o-ring to connect to the rear housing. If one of those o-rings is leaking, you have a big problem getting to it.. I took the rear housing off once (never again!), Now I'm taking the water pump off to fix a leak. The water pump is run by the timing belt, so the front of engine needs to be stripped down, and the timing belt removed to take off the water pump. That metal pipe is held in place by a bracket with one bolt on the rear of engine; it may require taking the lower intake off (again) to get to both of those pesky o-rings. I hope you don't have the same problem, and if you have the 4 cylinder engine, the thermostat is a snap to replace, plus you don't have that crazy plumbing problem.

Those are usually sold as a one piece unit. I normally don't replace just the glass. Open the door panel up and you should see the wiring and 2 to 3 nuts holding the studs for that housing din place. remove those and remove the housing. As far as opening the housing I don't even think you can.

The slave cylinder is leaking. The transmission needs to be removed to replace this.
Sorry I don't have anything to say that you wanted to hear but at least you know where your at.
Good Luck and God Bless You.

most likely cause would be your heater core instructions below!


If it is necessary to remove the heater assembly, the cooling system must be drained before removing the heater core.
When a heater core leaks, a new heater core is installed or the old one repaired.
Heater Housing

• The heater housing is usually under the dash and must be removed to gain access to the heater core.
• Procedures for replacing the heater core vary with the year, make, and model of car. It threfore necessary to consult the manufacturer's repair manuals for the proper procedure for replacement.

The heater housing is disassembled to get to the heater core.
Heater Core

• Remove the access panels(s) or the split heater/air conditioning case to gain acess to the heater core.
• Remove the heater coolant hoses.
• Remove the cable and/or vacuum control lines (if equipped).
• Remove the heater core securing brackets and/or clamps.
• Lift the core from the case. Do not use force. Take care not to damage the fins of the heater core when removing.
• To reinstall the heater core, reverse the removal steps.

When the heater core leaks and must be repaired or replaced, it is a very difficult and time-consuming job primarily because of the core's location deep within the firewall of the car. For this reason always leak test a replacement heater core before installation.

1. drain coolant
2. remove engine cover
3. remove the 2 bolts from water hose connection (upper rad hose connecting to)
4. remove o-ring and thermostat
5. repeat in reverse order

The 2.7L engine lower radiator hose, connects to the thermostat housing.

To Remove:
1.Disconnect the Negative battery cable.
(Engine COLD!)

1. Drain cooling system.
2. Remove radiator lower hose from thermostat housing.
3. Remove nuts from heater tube flange studs.
4. Loosen starter bolt at heater tube bracket.
5. Pull heater tube out of thermostat housing and position out of the way.
6. Remove bolt and two studs.
7. Remove thermostat housing, O-ring and thermostat.
8. Remove thermostat housing bolts.

To install:
A.Clean gasket sealing surfaces.
B.Install thermostat with the bleed valve located at the 12 o'clock position, between tabs on seal.

1. Install thermostat and seal into thermostat housing .
2. If removed, install two studs.
3. Install thermostat, thermostat housing and O-ring and bolt. Tighten attaching bolts to 105 inch lbs.(12 Nm).
4. Lubricate new heater return tube O-ring with coolant.
5. Position heater return tube flange over two studs. Install nuts.
6. Tighten retaining nuts to 53 inch lbs.(6 Nm).
7. Tighten starter bolt to 40 ft. lbs. (54.3 Nm).
8. Connect the lower radiator hose to the thermostat housing. Install hose clamps.
9. Refill cooling system.
10. Inspect for leaks.
11. Connect negative cable.

3.2 and 3.5L engines:
Disconnect the battery cable. (Again engine COLD)

1. Drain cooling system.
2. Raise vehicle on hoist.
3. Disconnect electrical connectors from engine oil and power steering pressure switches.
4. Disconnect radiator and heater hoses from thermostat housing.
5. Remove thermostat housing bolts.
6. Remove housing, thermostat, and gasket.

The OEM thermostat is staked in place at the factory. To ensure proper seating of replacement thermostat, carefully remove the bulged metal from the thermostat housing, using a suitable hand held grinder. It is not necessary to restake the replacement thermostat, into the thermostat housing.

To Install:

1. Position gasket on thermostat and housing.
2. Install thermostat housing, gasket and mounting bolts onto block. Tighten attaching bolts to 105 inch lbs. (12 Nm).
3. Install radiator hose.
4. Install bypass hose.
5. Connect electrical connectors from engine oil and power steering pressure switches.
6. Connect negative cable.
7. Fill cooling system.
8. Inspect for leaks.
9. Lower vehicle on hoist.

From AutoZone Repair Guides

I feel this way, I can give you an accurate description, and have taken into account your safety.