Do you have to drain fluid to change thermostat?
Do you have to drain fluid to change thermostat?
You don’t need to drain all of the coolant, no. Just replace what falls out when you pull the hose off to do the thermostat. Air will get into the system when doing the thermostat, there’s really no way around it. You will need to bleed the cooling system when finished.
When do I need to replace my water thermostat?
Insert your thermostat. The thermostat should open at around 190 ºF (88 ºC). Since water boils at 212ºF (100ºC), this is more than enough. If the thermostat doesn’t open in the water (and then close when it cools), you need a new one.
Where do you drain the coolant from a car thermostat?
Drain the coolant from the radiator tap, or from the bottom hose, until it is below the level of the thermostat housing. If the hosing does not lift off easily, tap it free gently with a piece of wood, taking care not to damage the housing.
How do you change the thermostat on a car?
The temperature at which it starts to open is usually stamped on it. Loosen the top hose clip, then ease off the hose. Partially drain the cooling system first. With a normal top-mounted thermostat you need drain only part of the cooling system . Do not drain it while the engine is hot — you may be scalded. Wait for the engine to cool.
What happens to coolant when the thermostat is opened?
As the thermostat opens, the flow of coolant is gradually diverted into the radiator instead. Thermostats have a temperature “rating” (such as 180 or 190 degrees Fahrenheit) which is the temperature at which the thermostat begins to open. It will reach the fully open point approximately 15 to 20 degrees higher.
What should I do when I change the thermostat in my car?
Replacing a car thermostat includes the draining and refilling of your vehicle’s cooling system so you may also consider performing a cooling system flush while you are replacing the thermostat. Flushing the cooling system of your car can help remove the buildup and deposits that have formed overtime due to normal use of your vehicle.
When to drain and refill a cooling system?
The system is supposed to be maintenance-free, and is drained only when a hose or the coolant is due for replacement. When draining and refilling the system, if the coolant is to be reused, place clean containers beneath the drain points.
Where does the coolant go after draining a radiator?
Instead, a pressure cap is fitted to the system, and a tube leads from the top of the radiator to a glass, plastic or metal tank or container. Coolant which has expanded as the system warms up passes down the tube into this tank, and is drawn back into the radiator when it has cooled.
How does the thermostat work in a car?
By modulating how much coolant gets sent through the radiator, the thermostat can keep the temperature of the coolant in your engine in a very specific range no matter how warm or cold it is outside.
