just changed one a few months ago the thermostat comes with a new housing.Easy swap,
Changing thermostat
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 491
Likes: 10
From: Atlanta Ga
Changing thermostat
I there a way to change the thermostat without draining the coolant? If it can be done, would someone pleasae explain the procedure. I'm trying to stop an overheating issue in steps. Next is pull the radiator.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
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Yes. Be sure the car is cold so the thermostat is closed. Get the new one ready with the gasket on it so you can do a quick switch. Put a oil change basin under the car to catch a few ounces of fluid. Take out the bottom bolt then loosen the top one and get ready to take it out and hold the old stat in. Then quickly switch them. Bolt the new one in and then change over the hose. Will spill a few ounces of fluid but not too much. Can be done for sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
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From: right here right now
CI 5-6-8-9-11 Veteran
Yes. Be sure the car is cold so the thermostat is closed. Get the new one ready with the gasket on it so you can do a quick switch. Put a oil change basin under the car to catch a few ounces of fluid. Take out the bottom bolt then loosen the top one and get ready to take it out and hold the old stat in. Then quickly switch them. Bolt the new one in and then change over the hose. Will spill a few ounces of fluid but not too much. Can be done for sure.
I would rather spend few bucks and add some coolent rather than take the chance of having to do it over because of a leak
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Why?
Just put a catch pan under it and pull the bottom radiator hose. If you have cooling problems it might be a good idea to change to coolant anyway. Use distilled water and not more then 50% coolant
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Rochester Hills MI
i dont think you will do it without losing around a pint of fluid using the quick swap method. the faster u can swap it out the less fluid you will lose. ive read that some people have had so much practice at this that they hardly lose even a cup of fluid.
Race Director
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
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From: North Port Fl
Are you sure the thermostat is the problem? What are the symptoms? Have you looked under the car and cleaned out all the debris that collects on the radiator of these cars? When was the last time the coolant was changed?
Unless the thermostat is sticking shut (either all the time or periodically) its probably not the cause of your overheating. The way the radiators are placed on these cars causes a lot of junk to get drawn up and lodged up in the radiator. I put a screen on the opening to help stop this on my car. If you have a lot of stuff up there just clean it out that will help. And also when the fluid gets old it doesn't work as well, and neither do the radiators themselves. The older they get the less they flow and this causes them to run hotter.
Find out exactly what is causing the overheating before you start changing parts. Lastly there is an outside chance that the problem could be the water pump, but this isn't likely although it does happen.
Unless the thermostat is sticking shut (either all the time or periodically) its probably not the cause of your overheating. The way the radiators are placed on these cars causes a lot of junk to get drawn up and lodged up in the radiator. I put a screen on the opening to help stop this on my car. If you have a lot of stuff up there just clean it out that will help. And also when the fluid gets old it doesn't work as well, and neither do the radiators themselves. The older they get the less they flow and this causes them to run hotter.
Find out exactly what is causing the overheating before you start changing parts. Lastly there is an outside chance that the problem could be the water pump, but this isn't likely although it does happen.
