Thermostat change - does radiator REALLY need to be drained?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 294
Likes: 15
From: South Orange Co. CA
Thermostat change - does radiator REALLY need to be drained?
Can a C5 thermostat be changed without draining the radiator? Can I just unbolt the old one and put in the new without too much radiator fluid running out?
:confused:
:confused:
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 1
From: Myakka City Fl
Re: Thermostat change - Old coolant may be o.k.
If the coolant is only a year or so old it's probably ok. undo the fill cap and turn drain plug on passenger side of radiator,with catch pan under it.loosen the 2 bolts on the housing with clean pan underneath you should get most of the fluid. Put in new thermo with a little grease on the o ring-careful! only snug up those bolts. Refill. run engine with cap off a few minutes ,then put on ,run for a few minutes, carefully remove cap again. the LS1 has a low mounted thermo so check if any excess air got in system. Air will cause water pump to cavitate.
No Problem!
Tom :D :seeya :yesnod:
No Problem!
Tom :D :seeya :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,499
Likes: 0
Re: Thermostat change - does radiator REALLY need to be drained? (sunvet)
You have to be fast. Also if you have to reuse the O ring make sure that it doesn't slip out of place when puting it back on. BTW I drained my fluid into a clean container when I changed mine. It's been a while but I think that I drained a couple of gallon jugs out to get it low enough for the swap.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: Thermostat change - does radiator REALLY need to be drained? (sunvet)
My car is four years old... I replace the thermostat twice a year,, from the stock one in the winter to a 160 for summer.. it takes me less than five minutes to do it.. No radiator drain... do not remove the fill cap... withy the engine cold the valve is closed,... remove the hose... and push it up undeer the hoses to keep it out of the way... have the new thermosat handy... remove the one boltfrom the thermostat applying pressure as you remove the second one.. apply pressure with one hand remove bolt with the other hand..swap thermostats (ten seconds)....put in bolts...snug...torque replace hose... add coolant... ( should be less than a quart.. 50/50 Dexcool )
