How to: Replace thermostat with metal one!

[Yellow09LT]

My car is an '09 LT. The engine light came on, it showed thermostat/ temp sensor failure. I went and bought a thermostat from Oreilly's for like $90. Then I found out the housing/ water outlet attached to the engine block was made of plastic. I put the new part on and drove a bit, then stopped at the gas station to check for leaks. Sure enough she was leaking. I grabbed my ratchet and tried to carefully tighten the thermostat, and just as the leak stopped, the plastic housing cracked. coolant started streaming out. I quickly shut the hood and drove around the corner to my driveway and shut the car down. Nobody within 30 miles had the part I needed. I looked on Rock Auto and Ebay. Everything was plastic. Then I saw the same part for the 2012 Sonic, it looked exactly the same, but was made of metal. I blew up both the photos, everything lined up, bolt pattern, gasket shapes, hose connections. Get this the metal one on ebay was way cheaper too! I took a gamble and got it for around $40. Here is the listing: Thermostat New Chevy Chevrolet Cruze Sonic 2012-2015 | eBay
It came in a few days. I cleaned the contact surfaces, bolted on the part, connected the sensors, clamped the hoses, refilled the coolant, crossed my fingers, and started the car. It worked great! No leaks. I drove to the movies and out to get Chinese takeout on a hot afternoon with no issues. Tomorrow I have a 45 minute commute so I will update this post after returning from a longer drive.

Broken Housing

A closer View

The new part arrived

All hooked up

Engine running, no leaks