# PROBLEM- thermostat on a 3.1 V6 (1999 Malibu) **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [June 9, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/problem-thermostat-on-a-3-1-v6-1999-malibu/13119 "2006-06-09T14:41:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/problem-thermostat-on-a-3-1-v6-1999-malibu/13119/1 "2006-06-09T14:41:09Z")
my car has been running very hot lately… the only thing i can think of is that thermostat needs to be replaced, fans turn on just fine, coolant level is where it should be, just the car has been running 2 dashes about where it used to be… (middle of the temp gauge) i bought the thermostat, it just looks like a BITCH to get to… anybody do one before? anybody have insight on how to do it? anybody wanna do it??? thanks -william ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 6:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/problem-thermostat-on-a-3-1-v6-1999-malibu/13119/2 "2006-06-10T18:17:10Z")
thanks to anthony, the thermostat has been changed… fluid was flushed… but the car is still running 1 dash above where it used to run and sometimes 2 dashes above it ☹ any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![nitroinsane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@nitroinsane](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/nitroinsane)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/problem-thermostat-on-a-3-1-v6-1999-malibu/13119/3 "2006-06-10T18:53:24Z")
gm 3.1. head gasket? places do coolant pressure test got like 30 bucks they will diag the over heating ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 7:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/problem-thermostat-on-a-3-1-v6-1999-malibu/13119/4 "2006-06-10T19:25:16Z")
i replaced the headgasket and water pump less than 30k miles ago… and the coolant levels havent dropped… my mom did put NON - dexcool coolant in with the coolant though… but that was like 40-50k miles ago… :bangshead: ---
**Author:** ![rj-92](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rj-92/32/7310_2.png) [@rj-92](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rj-92)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 7:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/problem-thermostat-on-a-3-1-v6-1999-malibu/13119/5 "2006-06-10T19:28:48Z")
It is a little warmer out the last month or so. If its not over heating, its not a big problem. Sounds like your maintainence was done properly. You should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![psychopjv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/psychopjv/32/7251_2.png) [@psychopjv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/psychopjv)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2006, 8:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/problem-thermostat-on-a-3-1-v6-1999-malibu/13119/6 "2006-06-10T20:27:03Z")
> [@Willybeen](#): > > i replaced the headgasket and water pump less than 30k miles ago… > > and the coolant levels havent dropped… > > my mom did put NON - dexcool coolant in with the coolant though… but that was like 40-50k miles ago… > > :bangshead: well green plus orange = sludge…and the usual issue with those therm’s is they don’t let the car warm up enough so it throws a light. ---
**Author:** ![Boomin99GT](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boomin99gt/32/7306_2.png) [@Boomin99GT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boomin99GT)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2006, 9:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/problem-thermostat-on-a-3-1-v6-1999-malibu/13119/7 "2006-06-11T09:23:10Z")
The 3.1’s and 3.4’s always run just over 1/2 on the temp gauge. Its normal bro don’t sweat it. ---
**Author:** ![psychopjv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/psychopjv/32/7251_2.png) [@psychopjv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/psychopjv)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2006, 11:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/problem-thermostat-on-a-3-1-v6-1999-malibu/13119/8 "2006-06-11T11:04:25Z")
also it should be noted the guage is usually reading higher than the actual temp on those. ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2006, 1:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/problem-thermostat-on-a-3-1-v6-1999-malibu/13119/9 "2006-06-11T13:09:40Z")
good times, i guess ill just keep my eye on it… the sludge in the reservoir was GROSE… .lol