I know you asked this a long time ago.. But I'm just gonna go for it cause I have nothing better to do. it's usually good practice to drain out all the coolant and replace it since you are going to replace the t-stat. Draining it through the petcock and through the block will get the most old fluid out of the system with out making too much of a mess. Not making a mess is important. Coolant is caustic, so if it gets on anything like your belts or pulleys you could have problems down the road.
The sealant or silicone whatever he used (liquid gasket) will fill in any irregularities if any of the metal is deformed and not perfectly flat. from Google Should I use gasket sealer with a gasket? A general rule, if you are using gasket sealant, you don't need a lot! A tiny amount skimmed over a surface to fill any slight indents is all that is required for most applications. Automotive applications commonly use gasket sealant alongside solid gaskets, as they are repairing older parts.
I have a question : In a very hot weather (80 - 100) Is a good idea to remove the thermostat? I mean use the car with no thermostat ? Sorry my english is not good.
It is never a good idea to drive without a thermostat, especially in hot weather. From what I recall the coolant will not stay in the block long enough to transfer a good amount of heat away from the engine which in turn will lead to overheating. Remember, the temp gauge only reads the temp of the coolant, not the engine. So yes, your gauge will read a very low low temp because the coolant is staying cool while the engine becomes heat soaked. The longer the coolant can stay on the around the engine, the more heat it can absorb. Once the coolant temp gets to a certain level then the thermostat will open and allow the best soaked coolant to leave the engine area to go to the radiator and allow the old (cool) radiator coolant to go to the engine to repeat the process. Sorry about the lengthy response.
I forgot to add. If your driving the car short distances with very light loads then you won't necessarily damage your car, it the short term your car will run really rich and pollute more because the computer will run in closed loop mode. What I typed before was if you're driving far distances, up hills, stop and go traffic etc.
Thank you for your response.I already changed the thermostat. The car still gets hot. But I think the roblem is the catalyzer clogged.it is a saturn 2001, 178,000 miles and they never changed the catalyzer. Anyway, quite good explanation. thank you.
A couple of other items you can check/replace are: Radiator cap Coolant temp sensor Radiator fan Radiator Radiator hoses I had a 98 SL1 and even after changing all of the above items (and even the water pump) it would still overheat while driving in traffic or in the city. It did fine while on the freeway (no traffic). If none of the above doesn't work for you, you might have to drive around with the heater on constantly. Mine eventually got so bad that I hat to get rid of it. I hope you find a solution.
Hey I tried changing my thermostat on a 2002 Saturn SL series and after I got done putting it back together and I tried putting coolant it started leaking through the screw under the engine please help
+Randy robinson I'm sorry you may have to search on the web for this one. I no longer have this car. i believe there is a forum called saturnalia that is all about saturns. They may be able to help you out there. Hope you find your answer.
Why do you need to drain any of it. Cant you just unbolt the thermostat n let the fluid fall from there?
I know you asked this a long time ago.. But I'm just gonna go for it cause I have nothing better to do. it's usually good practice to drain out all the coolant and replace it since you are going to replace the t-stat. Draining it through the petcock and through the block will get the most old fluid out of the system with out making too much of a mess. Not making a mess is important. Coolant is caustic, so if it gets on anything like your belts or pulleys you could have problems down the road.
dude your a life saver!
***** Niiiicceeee. So glad i could help. =)
I was just doing basic maintenance and wanted to make a video :)
Good video. Thanks
No problem. Glad I can help.
Dknt forget to put drain plug in and screw the tap handle tight.
Bleed the block no?
Any chance you have a thread size on that bolt at 4:02? Got an oil change and now we are missing ours!
+Becky Buchholz Sorry I do not.. I don't have the car anymore. =(
should be no reason to goop an o-ring
The sealant or silicone whatever he used (liquid gasket) will fill in any irregularities if any of the metal is deformed and not perfectly flat.
from Google
Should I use gasket sealer with a gasket?
A general rule, if you are using gasket sealant, you don't need a lot! A tiny amount skimmed over a surface to fill any slight indents is all that is required for most applications. Automotive applications commonly use gasket sealant alongside solid gaskets, as they are repairing older parts.
I have a question : In a very hot weather (80 - 100) Is a good idea to remove the thermostat? I mean use the car with no thermostat ? Sorry my english is not good.
It is never a good idea to drive without a thermostat, especially in hot weather.
From what I recall the coolant will not stay in the block long enough to transfer a good amount of heat away from the engine which in turn will lead to overheating.
Remember, the temp gauge only reads the temp of the coolant, not the engine. So yes, your gauge will read a very low low temp because the coolant is staying cool while the engine becomes heat soaked.
The longer the coolant can stay on the around the engine, the more heat it can absorb.
Once the coolant temp gets to a certain level then the thermostat will open and allow the best soaked coolant to leave the engine area to go to the radiator and allow the old (cool) radiator coolant to go to the engine to repeat the process.
Sorry about the lengthy response.
I forgot to add. If your driving the car short distances with very light loads then you won't necessarily damage your car, it the short term your car will run really rich and pollute more because the computer will run in closed loop mode.
What I typed before was if you're driving far distances, up hills, stop and go traffic etc.
Thank you for your response.I already changed the thermostat. The car still gets hot. But I think the roblem is the catalyzer clogged.it is a saturn 2001, 178,000 miles and they never changed the catalyzer. Anyway, quite good explanation. thank you.
A couple of other items you can check/replace are:
Radiator cap
Coolant temp sensor
Radiator fan
Radiator
Radiator hoses
I had a 98 SL1 and even after changing all of the above items (and even the water pump) it would still overheat while driving in traffic or in the city.
It did fine while on the freeway (no traffic). If none of the above doesn't work for you, you might have to drive around with the heater on constantly.
Mine eventually got so bad that I hat to get rid of it.
I hope you find a solution.
Hey I tried changing my thermostat on a 2002 Saturn SL series and after I got done putting it back together and I tried putting coolant it started leaking through the screw under the engine please help
the only thing i can think off is trying to get a (or a couple of) washers and if that doesn't work maybe pit some plumber's tape on the threads
Basic Car Tips appreciate the rapid response I will try and get some washers and I'll let you know how that worked
I would leave it out... it will run much cooler in hot weather.
Todd Gilmore then the car wouldn't get to operating temp and it could ware the engine faster
In addition to faster engine wear, you'd have little to no heat in the winter, and impaired defrosting.
what is the bolt size
+Randy robinson
I'm sorry you may have to search on the web for this one. I no longer have this car.
i believe there is a forum called saturnalia that is all about saturns. They may be able to help you out there.
Hope you find your answer.
If he were such a"life"saver,he could have shown,if you need a 10mm wrench,or JUST a 10mm,socket.Seems,you need a wrench, & socket.