Regarding Changing Thermostat, 1997 GS-T

[MikeT1982]

Hey guys, first Merry Christmas! Allrite, I did search this but I am trying to get a little more specific answer. This sucks, I wish I would have decided to do this BEFORE getting the cooling system flushed, but I didn't. I bought an OEM Radiator Cap, Mitsu thermostat, and 2 new OEM Mitsu thermostat housing bolts (70 cents each figured what the hell) and want to replace it for the sake of preventative maintenance.

So if I open the radiator petcock and drain maybe a half gallon of fluid (i want to re-use it as it is brand new), will there still be enough in the block to make a big mess when I pull out the thermostat (since it is on the lower radiator hose). I am hoping to avoid draining the whole cooling system. The other posts I read say you don't have to, but are on earlier model years or non turbo (not sure if different since the housing is sideways) Thanks a ton!

- Mike T.

 

[blazebolt]

I just did my thermostat this past weekend, and yes there is still a lot of coolant that will spill out. There will be no coolant when you remove the cover, but as soon as you pull out the thermostat coolant will pour out. I suggest, draining the radiator, that way nothing will leak when you pull the cover off (the one attached to the lower radiator hose). Then put a bucket underneath the thermostat and get ready. Mine was a little stuck and I yanked it out with some pliers. You may get different results if you do this with a warm car as the thermostat will be open and you will therefore drain more coolant out from the radiator.

 

[mattdev]

Well, for the T-stat to be open, the coolant would have to be at least 180*. I wouldn't recommend doing ANYTHING with 180* water (unless you want to pay for a trip to the hospital).

You can catch almost all the coolant that spills out, and the rest you can fill up with water (preferably distilled water)...

 

[siceclipse]

as soon as you pull the t-stat out, whatever is in the block (which is usually a lot) will come pouring out.

 

[Defiant]

Well, whatever is in the head would come out if you didn't give it a chance to drain back. However, its draining will be restricted by the small air passage in the thermostat, and if it has a "wiggle valve", that's meant to stop the air from flowing back into the engine. You might lose about a quart when the thermostat comes free. If you push it open with a screwdriver so the air can leak in before breaking it loose from the head, most of the coolant will run to the bottom of the block and to the lower radiator.