Thermostat replacement instructions needed

My daughters car showed a check engine light after using a diagnostic tool it indicated that the thermostat needs to be replaced. Looking at the V6 3400 engine it does not seem like there is enough room to remove the thermostat without removing the crossovers. My question is, am I right in my thinking or is there a way of removing and replacing the thermostat without doing all that work?

Does the thermostat fit right in and the housing with no problem?

I was wondering how to change the thermostat in my car?

Problem installing Thermostat

Hello, I have a 2000 Monte Carlo, with a 3.4 L engine. Engine was taking too long to warm up so decided to install another thermostat. Temperature gauge very slow moving. I disconnected the thermostat easily except for the lower bolt, took forever to get that thing out with a open in box wrench. The problem is the lower bolt of the thermostat housing. This bolt is nearly impossible to install with the thermostat housing installed first. There is some sort of pipe in the way; I do not know what it is called, but if it was not there, I would have finish this job in a hour or so. I tried to install the thermostat first by installing the lower bolt first; afterwards, I installed the housing and upper bolt. Had a difficult time getting it to line up properly, which is probably why it leaked badly after starting the engine. Had to start all over! Very aggravated to say the least. Has anyone else experience this problem with installing a thermostat on a 3.4 engine? If so, what is the best way to repair this thing. Also need to know what is the best type of sealant to use. I tried something in a little brown bottle with an Indian head on it. Nothing but a mess, it did not seal the thermostat properly according to the leak I had. Maybe I did not let it dry long enough. Next go around, I am using some kind of blue silicone sealant; It does not seem to work either. As soon as I tried to reinstall the housing, that crap fell off from the housing and the engine. Maybe, it is too cold out (twenties). I would appreciate any assistance any of you can provide on the best way to install that lower bolt and the best sealant to use. Hope to hear from you soon!

Hi, well, I understand what your trying to say so to help you the first thing to do is above the housing is a throttle body which has three millimeter nuts that hold that together and the there is a black tube that you were taking about that is the bypass for the coolant to run through. Take that off and then you will have better access to the thermostat housing. For the gasket I will go to your local auto parts store and ask for the gasket that fits the car you are working on. Make sure the surface you are working on is dry and cleaned off well so it will stick to the surface. I hope this will help you in any way.

How do I replace the thermostat? Do I have to take the exhaust off?

You see that hose leading from the radiator to the engine right below the engine mount on the right side? That is it, looks like a sideways oval with two little bolts, unscrew them and off comes the top and just pull the thermostat out, and no you do not have to take off your exhaust.

Can anyone tell me where the thermostat is located on a 2000 Monte Carlo 3.4?