thermostat install need help?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: valrico fl
St. Jude Donor '05
thermostat install need help?
I have read in order to install the thermostat you need to drain most of the coolant out of the raidator. My question is where is the drain plug located. I cant seem to see it from below the car. Also do I have to jack the car up to get access to it. If someone could walk me through this I would really appreciate it. I know where the thermostat is located so that much I got just cant figure out how to drain the coolant. Thanks :)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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Re: thermostat install need help? (golfman)
Jack the car up. The drain plug is on the pass. side. Get your head behind the front air dam, look up and you will see the white plastic petcock. It takes a 3/8's driver. Put your recepticle under the black plastic drain funnel and turn the white petcock with the 3/8's drive. You will feel the petcock turn towrds you, thus opening the rad. to drain. I hope that's clear. Good Luck
Also, after draining the rad. Load up the underneath of the car with rags, you will still some a bit of cooloant when you pop the therm..
Also, after draining the rad. Load up the underneath of the car with rags, you will still some a bit of cooloant when you pop the therm..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,521
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From: Gilbert, AZ, USA
Re: thermostat install need help? (golfman)
I've read that you lose quite a bit of fluid whether or not you drain the radiator, and that the easiest way is to simply prep a bunch of rags, pull the thermostat screws, and do the swap quickly, just pull the old one and plug the opening with the new one in a quick, smooth motion.
Sam
Sam
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: valrico fl
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: thermostat install need help? (Sam Lin)
That is what i did. didnt drain the raditor at all. I used a 5 gallon oil pan with a spout. I captured most of the fluid and poured back in after install. What I lost I replaced with dex cool fluid and distilled water. The whole thing took about 15 minutes. It was simple.
The only problem is it didnt really make the car much cooler. I bought the 178 T-stat and the car now runs at between 187 and 194 on a hot day of 88 here in florida. It was running at about 196 to 198 with the stock unit. I have the PLII and the fans come on early but not early enough for the 178 T-stat I guess. Is that and ok temp to run at.
The only problem is it didnt really make the car much cooler. I bought the 178 T-stat and the car now runs at between 187 and 194 on a hot day of 88 here in florida. It was running at about 196 to 198 with the stock unit. I have the PLII and the fans come on early but not early enough for the 178 T-stat I guess. Is that and ok temp to run at.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Winter Springs FL
Re: thermostat install need help? (golfman)
The thermostat only controls at what temp the coolant starts to flow.
It will not regulate temperature after it's opened at the thermostats rated temp. At 178, you would not want to turn the fans on too soon as they can cool down the cars coolant below the thermostats rated close temp causing the thermostat to close and heat up quickly, only to reopen and trigger the fans again too soon. this would end up in an cooling loop.
I installed a 160 so I could turn my fans on sooner and keep overall temp lower. This way my thermostat stays open the entire time my car is running and performs the only real job a thermostat is supposed to; "allowing the cars engine to warm up sooner from a cold start."
Once it gets to 160 its job is done and it's now up to the fans.
The car stays around 175 on hot days while driving without help from the fans. During heavy traffic (stop and go) it warms up quickly and the fans kick on around 182. I live in FL too! :)
I keep my cars temp around 175 to 190 max.
A restrictor plate would work as well.
It will not regulate temperature after it's opened at the thermostats rated temp. At 178, you would not want to turn the fans on too soon as they can cool down the cars coolant below the thermostats rated close temp causing the thermostat to close and heat up quickly, only to reopen and trigger the fans again too soon. this would end up in an cooling loop.
I installed a 160 so I could turn my fans on sooner and keep overall temp lower. This way my thermostat stays open the entire time my car is running and performs the only real job a thermostat is supposed to; "allowing the cars engine to warm up sooner from a cold start."
Once it gets to 160 its job is done and it's now up to the fans.
The car stays around 175 on hot days while driving without help from the fans. During heavy traffic (stop and go) it warms up quickly and the fans kick on around 182. I live in FL too! :)
I keep my cars temp around 175 to 190 max.
A restrictor plate would work as well.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,296
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From: Warminster PA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'08-'10-'11
Re: thermostat install need help? (Flashman)
You don't need to jack up the car to drain the coolant though. I did this by putting a drain pan under the area from the side.
Be sure to follow the burping procedures to get any air pockets out. Works like a charm. The whole job took me over an hour, but I am an amatuer. Next time, I should be able to do it in less time.
Be sure to follow the burping procedures to get any air pockets out. Works like a charm. The whole job took me over an hour, but I am an amatuer. Next time, I should be able to do it in less time.
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