Joined
·
2,302 Posts
At the request of downest, I'll post this 
Note: this is not an actual tech article although there's a few bits of random tech hidden within. This is actually a bit of humor in how I almost poisoned myeslf.
Tools Needed:
New thermostat with gasket (mine was missing, which adds fun to this write up)
10mm wrench
Small slotted screwdriver (optional)
Random amount of premixed antifreeze to top off what you spill
Getting started:
First, set out your new thermostat so you can get to it easily when the time comes. Make a mental note as to where it is, because once the fluids start running, it gets a bit crazy.
Now, locate the lower radiator hose and follow it to the back side of the motor, just behind the distributor and intake manifold. The hose will connect to the thermostat housing. The housing is connected to the block by two 10mm bolts.
Take these bolts out, but do not pull on the housing yet, so it remains sealed to the bock. Get your small flat screw driver (optional, but I needed one) ready, and locate your thermostat for a quick plug and play swap.
Now, with the screwdriver in one hand and the thermostat housing in the other, quickly pop the housing off and pry the old thermostat out of the fitting on the block. Now is the time to panic since you forgot to put a catch pan under the engine. Then panic even more as you try to put the new thermostat in place, only to realize there's not a gasket on it like the one you just pulled out.
Now you'll want to scream in frustration and watch what appears to be the Niagara Falls of coolant pouring out of the back of your engine. So grab the thermostat housing and try to press it against the block and hope it stops some of the flow of coolant while you try to carefully put the old gasket on the new thermostat as quickly as possible.
Finally after getting the gasket on and lined up, slap that bad boy in place on the block side, paying close attention that you put the little pin on the upper side of the thermostat, or was it supposed to be at the bottom? Who really cares at this point? Just do what you can to save the coolant from spilling.
Next, refit the housing over the end of the thermostat and mate it ot the bolt holes on the block. Install and tighten the 10mm bolts.
At this point, you'd think you were don't, but wait, we now have clean up to do thanks to the lake of green coming out from under all four tires. Oh yes, at this point remember that it's extremely harmful to breathe antifreeze fumes and run over and open the garage door to let some fresh air in.
Here's where you futilely and frantically build a levee of kitty litter and garage floor dirt to help stop the spread of the green menace.
Once you've got that somewhat owned, you'll want to top off the coolant. Go grab that extra jug of coolant you've been saving for just such an occasion. Open up the radiator cap and start to pour in some of the 50/50 mix before remembering that you should start the car while putting in coolant. Ok, now that the car's running you can start pouring slowly.
Stop once the bubbles reach the top of the filler hole and wait for them to go down before putting in more coolant. Then pour some more…
Bubble…
Pour some more…
Bubble…
Pour some more… and more… and more…
Keep pouring, you're almost there, I swear.
Bubble….
Pour…
Ok, stop pouring and ask yourself. Where the heck is all the coolant going? There's no way this thing lost THAT much coolant, is there? After checking under the car for any serious leaks, make note that you're going to need another bag of kitty litter once you move the car, but there's no fresh leakage.
Say, "Hmmmm" out loud a few times before continuing to pour.
Repeat the pouring and bubbling procedure a few more times, but FINALLY the radiator is topped off with ¾ a gallon of 50/50 mix. Put the radiator cap back on and burp the system with the bleeder bolt to make sure there's no air bubbles in the system. Having the radiator ¾ a gallon short of coolant could explain the surging idle and lack of heat from the heater.
That completes the actual tech portion of this write up, but wait, there's more.
Now that you've backed the car out of the garage and can see how much coolant is all over your garage floor, throw a second bag of kitty litter in the mess and go have a beer. Here is where you've got to make the choice of cleaning it up now or getting ready for work.
So now you can enjoy actually having a working heater on the drive to work. In fact, now the heater is too damn hot. And what's that burning feeling in your throat? God, why does your stomach hurt and you feel like throwing up? Maybe if you roll down the window and get some fresh cool air it will help. Go ahead; roll the window down at this point. "Ahh, fresh air," you think to yourself. It now dawns on you that you've been driving for 15 miles in an enclosed car, heater on high, and inhaling the antifreeze that's slowly burning off the back of the block.
Needless to say, at this point I drove to work with both windows down to let the cabin air out. lol.
I hope this "tech" and story helped a few of you see the dangers of working on your own car. lol
Note: this is not an actual tech article although there's a few bits of random tech hidden within. This is actually a bit of humor in how I almost poisoned myeslf.
Tools Needed:
New thermostat with gasket (mine was missing, which adds fun to this write up)
10mm wrench
Small slotted screwdriver (optional)
Random amount of premixed antifreeze to top off what you spill
Getting started:
First, set out your new thermostat so you can get to it easily when the time comes. Make a mental note as to where it is, because once the fluids start running, it gets a bit crazy.
Now, locate the lower radiator hose and follow it to the back side of the motor, just behind the distributor and intake manifold. The hose will connect to the thermostat housing. The housing is connected to the block by two 10mm bolts.
Take these bolts out, but do not pull on the housing yet, so it remains sealed to the bock. Get your small flat screw driver (optional, but I needed one) ready, and locate your thermostat for a quick plug and play swap.
Now, with the screwdriver in one hand and the thermostat housing in the other, quickly pop the housing off and pry the old thermostat out of the fitting on the block. Now is the time to panic since you forgot to put a catch pan under the engine. Then panic even more as you try to put the new thermostat in place, only to realize there's not a gasket on it like the one you just pulled out.
Now you'll want to scream in frustration and watch what appears to be the Niagara Falls of coolant pouring out of the back of your engine. So grab the thermostat housing and try to press it against the block and hope it stops some of the flow of coolant while you try to carefully put the old gasket on the new thermostat as quickly as possible.
Finally after getting the gasket on and lined up, slap that bad boy in place on the block side, paying close attention that you put the little pin on the upper side of the thermostat, or was it supposed to be at the bottom? Who really cares at this point? Just do what you can to save the coolant from spilling.
Next, refit the housing over the end of the thermostat and mate it ot the bolt holes on the block. Install and tighten the 10mm bolts.
At this point, you'd think you were don't, but wait, we now have clean up to do thanks to the lake of green coming out from under all four tires. Oh yes, at this point remember that it's extremely harmful to breathe antifreeze fumes and run over and open the garage door to let some fresh air in.
Here's where you futilely and frantically build a levee of kitty litter and garage floor dirt to help stop the spread of the green menace.
Once you've got that somewhat owned, you'll want to top off the coolant. Go grab that extra jug of coolant you've been saving for just such an occasion. Open up the radiator cap and start to pour in some of the 50/50 mix before remembering that you should start the car while putting in coolant. Ok, now that the car's running you can start pouring slowly.
Stop once the bubbles reach the top of the filler hole and wait for them to go down before putting in more coolant. Then pour some more…
Bubble…
Pour some more…
Bubble…
Pour some more… and more… and more…
Keep pouring, you're almost there, I swear.
Bubble….
Pour…
Ok, stop pouring and ask yourself. Where the heck is all the coolant going? There's no way this thing lost THAT much coolant, is there? After checking under the car for any serious leaks, make note that you're going to need another bag of kitty litter once you move the car, but there's no fresh leakage.
Say, "Hmmmm" out loud a few times before continuing to pour.
Repeat the pouring and bubbling procedure a few more times, but FINALLY the radiator is topped off with ¾ a gallon of 50/50 mix. Put the radiator cap back on and burp the system with the bleeder bolt to make sure there's no air bubbles in the system. Having the radiator ¾ a gallon short of coolant could explain the surging idle and lack of heat from the heater.
That completes the actual tech portion of this write up, but wait, there's more.
Now that you've backed the car out of the garage and can see how much coolant is all over your garage floor, throw a second bag of kitty litter in the mess and go have a beer. Here is where you've got to make the choice of cleaning it up now or getting ready for work.
So now you can enjoy actually having a working heater on the drive to work. In fact, now the heater is too damn hot. And what's that burning feeling in your throat? God, why does your stomach hurt and you feel like throwing up? Maybe if you roll down the window and get some fresh cool air it will help. Go ahead; roll the window down at this point. "Ahh, fresh air," you think to yourself. It now dawns on you that you've been driving for 15 miles in an enclosed car, heater on high, and inhaling the antifreeze that's slowly burning off the back of the block.
Needless to say, at this point I drove to work with both windows down to let the cabin air out. lol.
I hope this "tech" and story helped a few of you see the dangers of working on your own car. lol
