This
diagram, from a Performance Products catalog, I found very useful, not
only for getting an idea of what to expect to find inside, but also for ordering
the proper parts.
I had a
small leak that was coming from where the small hose goes from the block off
plate (#8 from diagram) to the expansion tank. It ended up all I needed
was the o-ring (#7 from diagram) and just unscrew a couple of bolts, replace the
o-ring, and screw it back together - not a drop since :-)
Ok, back to the thermostat... After removing the large hose from
the end of the thermostat housing, the thermostat is located inside the
housing. There is an snap ring that holds it in place.
I'm not sure of what all tools are available, but I ended up
going with the "thermostat removal tool" that Automotion offers.
This wasn't probably the best quality or cheapest tool, but it did do the job
(after much frustration). It's difficult to hold in on the tool while
screwing the knob that pinches the snap ring together and then pulling the whole
works out without the snap ring popping off the tool and back into the snap ring
groove so you can start all over ;-)
The coolant that was on the other side of the thermostat will
come out around the thermostat as you remove it, so be sure to have some sort of
bucket to catch the coolant. Place the new (I think I may have used the
old one) gasket around the thermostat and make sure you orientate everything
correctly and put it in the right order (refer to above diagram).
Hook
everything back up and fill the radiator with coolant. Be sure to use the
proper coolant (non-sulfate, I think). I had a little trouble finding the
right stuff locally, but Wal-Mart had some funky ORANGE
Prestone coolant that fit the specs. That stuff sure looked tasty
:-P Be sure to turn the heater on (temp knob to high) and open the bleeder
bolt at the front, center of engine. It's a bolt that you can back up to
where you see the cross hole that allows the air to escape. Basically,
fill the system until coolant comes out this hole, then quickly screw-in the
bolt. Finish by filling the expansion tank to the COLD level - more than
likely, after driving the car (heat it up to cycle the coolant a couple of
times), it will need topping off.
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Thermostat Replacement Page 1
