At my first and only attempt to change my thermostat. I ran into a problem. I Pulled the plug at the bottom of the radiator and nothing came out. A few drops of crud, that was about it. Any other way to drain the coolant? I don't wanna just take off the thermostat housing and soak my opti. Any suggestions?

 

Take off the bottom radiator hose.

 

The really small one? The one on the driver side?

 

I didnt drain the coolant to replace the t-stat and I've had no problems.

 

Did you loosen the radiator cap first?

 

Yes. Just a few drops of crud dripped out. I tried a few weeks ago without draining the coolant and had a nice coolant flow out of the w/pump.

 

I second that! stuff small rags behind the water pump, to soak up water befor it reaches the opti and you will be fine. two bolts hold it on... make note of the way it comes out. drop the new one in reverse the steps and you are done..... dont forget to bleed the air out with the bleeder screws.

 

I hope it just is my t-stat. I really don't feel like replacing a w/pump. I'll wait till it cools down to try again.

 

When you say you had a nice flow out of the water pump, how was water coming out of the pump? If it was coming out of the Weep hole, then your pump is shot. JMHO

 

It was coming out of the t-stat housing as soon as I started loosening the bolts.

 

Did you wait for it to cool down

If not... umm yeah do that... the coolent system becomes pressureised when it heats up.

 

It was yesterday morning. It had sat over nite.

 

Well. I changed the thermostat. Some coolant came out. Not a lot. It was a breeze, car is all better. Thanks for the help fella's.