I'm trying to change my thermostat out and am having trouble just getting to it

How do I best reach the gray connector attached to the housing, circled in red? For the life of me, I can't get my hand down there and I have small hands! The housing is only two bolts but I can't reach the one in the back (close to the firewall) - any suggestions/advise to reach this?

I loosened the clamp on the lower radiator house (on the right) and tried to pull the hose off but it didn't budge. I pulled on it for ten minutes and then realized the instructions (a Honda one-sheeter) never included removing the actual lower radiator hose. But the instructions also don't give a blow-by-blow on what to remove to get to the distant second bolt to remove the housing.

Also, I noticed a loose, frayed wire at one point - don't think I caused it with all of my hose pulling. Appears to be a ground wire - anyone know for sure and know how I can either fix or part number to get a new wire + connector?

Thanks!

 

Not sure why your having such a hard time. It's really easy. Pull that hose off. Twist it around, pry left to right. You can insert a flat head screwdriver between the hose & the housing & pry it off easily too. That hose clamp should also be a good few inches away from the housing. Once it's off you can unplug the connector & then use 1/4 inch socket with an extension to get the bolts.
That wire is the grounding wire. It should be connected to that lug you see. You'll have to get another lug & re-crimp the wire & then re-connect the wire to the bracket.

 

So dumb question - do I need to get a new lug from Acura or can I get it from a local hardware store??

 

I have pulled with everything I have - up, down, left, right - the lower radiator hose will not come off the thermostat housing.

I'm also using an HF hose removal tool and outside of scratching the housing, it hasn't helped.

 

Ok, with the help of the HF tool, I pried the hose off. I still cannot get the gray connector off, though. Do I need to reach the other housing bolt from the back of the engine with the appropriate pivot joint and 1/4" ratchet extension?

 

Got it, wasn't fun, thanks

 

Sorry it kicked your ass.....

I had mine off & TS replaced in minutes.

Take the lug off the bracket & size it up at the parts store.

 

Some lubricant like wd40 could be sprayed when you pray the hose with your screw driver... that helps alot