guide to changing thermostat

jonathanp

Full Member
Jan 5, 2005
736
0
Coventry
Seems to be the time to be changing thermostats, I'm hoping to do mine this weekend as well.

Was actually going to take the alternator off to give me better access, probably think I'm mad but I've removed the alternator before and its as easy as anything
 

three_cross

Active Member
Oct 14, 2011
95
0
It makes it look so easy but I can imagine some swearing will happen :)

If you could let me know how you get on that would be great.
 

LEE69

Stage 2 Revo'd
Dec 10, 2004
21,262
74
C\UK\Devon\Torquay
Seems to be the time to be changing thermostats, I'm hoping to do mine this weekend as well.

Was actually going to take the alternator off to give me better access, probably think I'm mad but I've removed the alternator before and its as easy as anything

Just loosen the bolts and tap it out the way a bit
 

Leoncuprarfan

Active Member
Aug 27, 2009
195
0
Chesterfield
Did mine today, found that using a 1/4" wrench and extension instead of a 3/8" made getting the bottom bolt of the thermostat housing back on that bit easier.
 

Leoncuprarfan

Active Member
Aug 27, 2009
195
0
Chesterfield
If you confident with spanners about 30mins but even if your not it shouldn't take too much longer. The guide above is very good and easy to follow. The only difficult bit is the bottom bolt on the thermostat housing but it will come out and have your new thermostat and o ring to hand when u pop the old 1 out or you'll lose lots of coolant.
 

Leoncuprarfan

Active Member
Aug 27, 2009
195
0
Chesterfield
No it doesn't and if you don't have your new thermostat to hand when you pull the old 1 out (cough cough don't know who that was) then you lose most of it anyway. I had 3 bottles of ready mixed g12 ++ to do a full flush on mine anyway so didn't matter too much and deff worth doing. Only took 2 bottles to refill it and it's on offer from tps at the mo £3.42 a bottle
 

Smoki333

Active Member
Dec 20, 2005
472
0
Wiltshire
Theres a tap/screw at the front of the car, bottom of the rad (passenger side) that will release most the coolant, remove the coolant cap too.
Once most has drained run some fresh water through it with a hose etc
 

rjpwalker

Active Member
Feb 27, 2011
144
0
Bournemouth
Did this the other day. Very tight to get at and when its all back together squeeze the pipe that connects to the housing. If you hear a squelchy sucking noise then it's not on tight enough. Just keep at it till it don't suck no more.

And go for a drive for 10 minutes and then top her up with fluid as she will let some air out the system causing Afro in fluid
 

jonathanp

Full Member
Jan 5, 2005
736
0
Coventry
ok sounds good.

Is it best to flush out the system first with water till it runs clear at the bottom and then do up the tap, fill it up again and put the lid on the header tank. Then idle or drive with the heater on full and then drain again and fill with coolant.

I take it this should get rid of any air etc?