Just had Chuck COW tune my 2004 A4. Now I need to swap out my OEM thermostat with his supplied Low Temp Thermostat.

I understand I need to drain the coolant and then remove the lower radiator hose which will allow me access to the thermostat.

Although he gave me some verbal instructions, I was hoping for some additional help as I know the 2004 thermostat is different from the rest of the C5 model years.

Any tips, help, links, videos, suggestions, etc. from those of you who have performed this mod?

Thanks!

 

This is the procedure that I used a few years ago when installing a 160 stat.
Good luck.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1547860417-post7.html

 

Thanks. I don't know if I have that skill level. Too bad there isn't a video showing this procedure.

 

Did'nt he tell you the 04 has a 160 stat in it from the factory?

 

Big Duk,
Where in the world did you get that info??

MSG C5,
That's about as simple instructions in regards to stat change out as you are going to get.

Wondering why Cow Tune didn't have the 160 stat installed prior of the tune?

Good luck

 

He was actually on vacation in Orlando and squeezed in a few tunes as well. Normally he ships the low temp stat first, however in this case since it was a last minute scheduled tune, I had to work around this.

I know the 2004 is different from the other C5 years so I'm just looking for advice on removing the original stat.

 

I realize that the stat that you have (04) come with a replaceable stat.
Meaning that there is no need to buy an earlier model that comes complete w/ stat built into the housing.

You would follow the same procedure in the link that I posted, other than there is no need to remove your housing from the hose .
Only difference would be pull the old stat from the housing & re insert the stat that Chuck Cow sold you & explained to you, how to install.

Perhaps, you would be better off getting an earlier style stat (such as an 03) & install it exactly as in the link

Perhaps it may be the easier thing to have some one install it for you?.
Good luck.

 

I don't think it's too hard of a job. Question is whether I want to drain the coolant or go with the method described.

My question is do I need to loosen and disconnect the lower radiator hose to gain access to the OEM stat, or do I keep the hose connected and access the stat by removing the bolts on the housing?

 

MSG C5,
No need to loosen the hose clamp.

If you don't want coolant spilling out as in the link..
Under the radiator on the passenger side, you will see where the hose goes into the radiator.
Looking downward another 8" or so you will see the drain pet ****.
Drain a gallon of your 50/50 mix into a container, & discard accordingly after the job is completed.

Remove the two bolts.
Put anti seize on the threads of the two housing bolts.

Pull up the hose & housing & hold it upwards as to not loose much/any 50/50 mix.
Look to see how the old stat is positioned into the housing.

Pull out the old stat & insert the new stat into position the same way the old one was installed.
Reset housing/stat into position.
Re tighten the two housing bolts.

Make sure to replenish with fresh 50/50 mix, the same amount of
fluid as was drained out.

 

Thanks! This helps! I was wondering whether I need to drain the entire amount or just a gallon or so. I just had the fluid changed a couple months ago so it's still fresh so I should be able to reuse it.

 

You shouldn't loose much fluid at all.

You could always use some type of a clamping devise a few inches below the housing hose clamp (about six inches) , to prevent much fluid loss.

Make sure not to over torque the two housing bolts on re install (11 lb ft) (89 inch lbs )

 

Thanks. If I'm able to close off the lower radiator hose, will there be a lot of coolant in the engine block where I remove the temp stat? I will have fluid tray underneath, however I would really like to do this without draining and refilling. Any air bubble issues with this method?

 

Thanks again for all the help/advise on this little project. (bumble-z)

I installed the new low temp stat this weekend. Although I was very close to trying it without draining the coolant, I chickened out. Plus, it gave me a chance to loosen my "drain ****". (Why do I think the same GM engineer was in charge of naming the DIC)

Anyway, since the Dex Cool coolant was only 500 miles new, I planned to reuse it anyway. I raised the car on ramps, drained the coolant (took about 45 minutes) and then using a 10MM wrench with a 3" socket extension, I removed the thermostat housing (picture above). I was amazed at how easy the old thermostat just popped out. A little more coolant dripped out of the engine block, but not much.

I installed the new Lingenfelter Low Temp 160 degree stat and made sure the seal was aligned correctly and then reinstalled the thermostat housing. I did not need to remove the lower radiator hose. I then crawled back under the car and retightened the "drain ****".

After installing the new stat, I used a $2.00 Walmart one-gallon drink pitcher and poored the Dex Cool back into the surge tank. I filled up about 2/3 of what I originally drained and then started the car and let it run for 1 minute. I then turned the car off, filled the rest of the fluid and topped off a little more new Dex Cool to replace the little amount that spilled during the stat change. I then refastened the cap on the surge tank and restarted the car and let it run for about 10 minutes. While the car was running I squeazed the radiator hoses to help burp any air out of the system.

After the ten minute test, I wiped up any excess fluid from underneath the car and lowered it off the ramps. I then went for a 15-minute spirited test drive. This was my first chance to really feel the results of the Chuck COW tune as the drive home from Orlando last week was through a heavy rainstorm. I had installed the Callaway Honker a few weeks prior to the tune as well so it was fun testing how the tune and the new CAI worked together. The car feels more "alive" and really jumps off the start. The shifting is improved and during the entire run, the temperature did not exceed 195 degrees. When I returned home, I let the car idle and the temp went to 205 degrees on a very hot, humid Florida June day. I will check the cool fill line again tomorrow.

The car is now resting quietly in the garage (hood up)...