Folks,
I know my way around tools pretty well, but even though I've had my Baja for 8 years, I'm still a novice at working on most anything under its hood.
Today I got word from my trusted mechanic that the reason the Baja wanted to overheat yesterday was due to a thermostat that likes to stick. Although it'd be pretty quick work for the shop, and only about a hundred bucks from my wallet, I'd just got it back a few days ago after a different $1000 worth of work... In any case, I figured it's time for me to get a little more familiar with what's under my hood, and this sounded like a perfect opportunity to conduct a relatively simple procedure on my car.
So the question is: Where do I start?
Where's the thermostat located?
Do I have to drain the coolant to do this? (and if so, how?)
What are the pitfalls & perils of doing this seemingly simple task myself?
Can the coolant I drain go back in, or would it be considered contaminated or some such?
What else am I not considering?
Thanks for all the worldly advice which is about to attack me.
- K
trying something new: thermostat replacement
Moderator: bajabob
trying something new: thermostat replacement
Baja '03 Blk, non-turbo, M/T, OzzBros, Bed Extender, JVC, ScanGaugeII, Garmin
"Well, ya see, son, when a dune buggy, a jeep and a sedan really love each other..."
"Well, ya see, son, when a dune buggy, a jeep and a sedan really love each other..."
Re: trying something new: thermostat replacement
Get the thermostat and gasket from Subaru. The price isn't bad, and the quality is much better than an aftermarket.
Get under the car. The easiest, possibly meet way to drain the rad is to disconnect the hose from the bottom of the radiator to the engine. The thermostat housing is what the house connects to at the engine side. There are 2 - 10mm bolts holding the housing to the water pump. Be careful undoing the bolts, you may get a flush of coolant pouring out behind it. When you take it apart, take note of the direction and position of the old thermostat. Reverse for reassembly.
The easiest way to refill and avoid air pockets follows. Disconnect the top hose from the radiator. Pour unmixed antifreeze into the engine through the top hose until it is full. Reattach the hose. Use the radiator cap to add water to the radiator. Run until it gets to operating temperature, allow to cool, then open the cap and top off.
Get under the car. The easiest, possibly meet way to drain the rad is to disconnect the hose from the bottom of the radiator to the engine. The thermostat housing is what the house connects to at the engine side. There are 2 - 10mm bolts holding the housing to the water pump. Be careful undoing the bolts, you may get a flush of coolant pouring out behind it. When you take it apart, take note of the direction and position of the old thermostat. Reverse for reassembly.
The easiest way to refill and avoid air pockets follows. Disconnect the top hose from the radiator. Pour unmixed antifreeze into the engine through the top hose until it is full. Reattach the hose. Use the radiator cap to add water to the radiator. Run until it gets to operating temperature, allow to cool, then open the cap and top off.