thermostat replacement diy?

ive been told by numerous ppl that the thermostat is partialy open which would explain my overheating at 90+ with the a/c on and not moving

 

i figured id do a coolant flush as well, i cant seem to find there the thermostat is on this engine, please help anyone

Joe, at least on my 1997, the thermostat is very easy to change, assuming

you're changing coolant too. It's in a little housing, held on with two bolts,

where the lower radiator hose attaches to the engine; there's a rubber o-ring

seal - you may want to replace that, but probably not necessary.

 

Of course, when you pull this, you'll lose all your coolant. In fact, I routinely

pull the thermostat at coolant-change time, and use a garden hose to flush

water through the engine block.

Is there an easy way to assure that you don't get air in the system ... or atleast get it all out before heating back up to working pressure when flushing it?

 

Also what do you do with the used coolant?

 

Thanks!

Is there an easy way to assure that you don't get air in the system ... or atleast get it all out before heating back up to working pressure when flushing it?

I've never found this to be a big deal. I just fill the thing up, and

check a few times over the next day or two. But some people seem

to make a big deal out of it - which is probably a good idea, since hot

spots due to air in the cooling system is probably a really bad thing.

I think they're some other threads that describe various voodoo for

making sure to get all the air out, and I think the OM for my new '06

even describes it.

 

Also what do you do with the used coolant?

 

The landfill - in my fairly "progressive" county - has places to dump

almost all hazardous fluids.

 

Before that, I was told coolant really isn't all that bad if it's well diluted,

and just to dump it down a drain (on the city water system) and flush

with lotsa water.

You live in VT which means coolant is classified as a hazardous material. If you are caught dumping it, even down your drain, you could be arrested. I believe just like in NY and NH you have to take the used coolant to an auto shop (jiffy Lube, Pep Boys, etc) for disposal just like you would do for oil.

You live in VT which means coolant is classified as a hazardous material. If you are caught dumping it, even down your drain, you could be arrested. I believe just like in NY and NH you have to take the used coolant to an auto shop (jiffy Lube, Pep Boys, etc) for disposal just like you would do for oil.

 

Maybe so, but I was told to wash in down the drain, with a lot of water,

by a county official. This was over 10 years ago, and before we had

the excellent hazardous waste program I mentioned earlier.

 

I would be pretty surprised if VT doesn't have some pretty hip waste

disposal programs ...

Thanks!

 

I've never found this to be a big deal. I just fill the thing up, and

check a few times over the next day or two. But some people seem

to make a big deal out of it - which is probably a good idea, since hot

spots due to air in the cooling system is probably a really bad thing.

I think they're some other threads that describe various voodoo for

making sure to get all the air out, and I think the OM for my new '06

even describes it.

 

 

 

The landfill - in my fairly "progressive" county - has places to dump

almost all hazardous fluids.

 

Before that, I was told coolant really isn't all that bad if it's well diluted,

and just to dump it down a drain (on the city water system) and flush

with lotsa water.

You live in VT which means coolant is classified as a hazardous material.

That's kind of what I figured.

 

I believe just like in NY and NH you have to take the used coolant to an auto shop (jiffy Lube, Pep Boys, etc) for disposal just like you would do for oil.

 

I knew, legally, those retailers selling oil were also required to take it back for disposal, although I was not sure about other fluids. I actually give all my used oil to my mechanic who uses it so heat his garage.