Hello Fastest Robe. The following steps are required to change your thermostat:
1. If you have automatic transmision, remove the exhaust manifold.
2. Drain the cooling system.
3. Remove the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe bolts.
4. Remove the thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe.
5. Remove the thermostat.
To install the new one, reverse the steps above. Joe
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
NOTE: When adding coolant, it is important that you use GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL® (orange colored, silicate free) coolant meeting GM specifications. On these vehicles, if silicated coolant is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner; at 30,000 miles (48,000km) or 24 months.
CAUTION
Never open, service or drain the radiator or cooling system when hot; serious burns can occur from the steam and hot coolant. Also, when draining engine coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are attracted to ethylene glycol antifreeze and could drink any that is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove fatal in sufficient quantities. Always drain coolant into a sealable container. Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or is several years old.
2.4L Engine
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Properly drain and recover the coolant to a level below the thermostat.
Unfasten the cover-to-outlet pipe bolt, which is accessible through the exhaust manifold runners.
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Disconnect the radiator and heater hoses from the outlet pipe.
Unfasten the outlet pipe-to-oil pan bolt and the cover-to-outlet pipe bolts.
Remove the thermostat, then clean the old gasket material from the mating surfaces. 
bleeding all the air out of the system is a given, when refilling coolant. Please take the time to accept/rate my solution accordingly.
Thank you,
Lee
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Coolant Temperature Sensor 2008 Malibu Location
SOURCE: Changing Thermostat 2008 Malibu 2.4
Follow the top radiator hose over the the engine. The end of the radiator hose connects to a housing. This housing is the thermostat cover. Remove the two bolts and then tap the housing with a wrench to get the gasket to pop loose. Make sure that when you replace your thermostat that you get on from GM. The ones that you buy at auto parts stores are not very reliable. I buy most of my parts at Autozone or O'reily's except thermostats.
SOURCE: where is the thermostat on a 1997 chevrolet malibu
Hi there:
I have listed both 2.4...
Thermostat Replacement (2.4 L) - Removal Procedure
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Drain and recover the coolant. Remove the exhaust manifold heat shield.
Remove the coolant inlet housing bolt through the exhaust manifold.
Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Remove the coolant inlet housing stud from the oil pan.
Remove the second coolant inlet housing bolt.
Remove the coolant inlet housing.
Remove the thermostat.
Hope this helps; also keep in mind that your feedback is important and I`ll appreciate your time and consideration if you leave some testimonial comment about this answer.
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Location of bleeders to bleed the air out of the cooling system was not mentioned and not being a contortionist, I cannot find them on this Chevrolet 4 Cylinder Dual Overhead Cam engine. Where are the bleeders located?
Since I am a FixYa (Whiz) contributor, common courtesy in helping anyone is pointing out the necessity of bleeding all the Air out of the Cooling System upon re-filling it.
Relative to changing Thermostat on 2008 Chevrolet Malibu with Dual Overhead Cam 4 Cylinder engine, the diagram and brief instructions were so-so!
1. How does one bleed the Air out of the Engine after replacing the Thermostat????????????????
2. Since I am a contributor and have helped many people with problems posted on FixYa, I find that so called experts are in fact not always what one would expect.
3. When an "Expert" replies to any problem/question he/she should be as thorough as possible in answering legitimate questions. The importance of answering any question may seem trivial to some of the experts but, it is of the utmost importance to many of us highly experienced mechanics to have proper information provided on a timely basis.
4. I thank the parties that have replied to my question but have yet to receive information on how to bleed the system of air. If I was to simply drain the cooling system sufficiently to remove and replace the thermostat and refill the system with DexCool I am sure that Air would be entrapped and starting the engine would quickly generate enough heat to possibly damage the Aluminum Cylinder Head. Need I say more?
Fastest Robe
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