failed at changing coolant thermostat

[GDawgC220]

Tried to swap out the aging coolant thermostat and failed :(

first, I leaked some coolant from removing the hoses onto the belt/front engine area...hope that is OK? The coolant wouldn't stop coming out...I grabbed a container to catch it but still some spilled out.

So then I just put the hoses back on and tightened them because I did not want to lose a lot of coolant from the resovoir (sp?)

The bolts I could NOT get off...they seemed so tight that I thought I was going to break the tool I was using. I sprayed a little bit of WD-40 onto the bolts but still no go...I guess from over the years, it's just crusted on now, ugh.

Any advice to try and get these bolts off and to stop coolant from leaking out from those hoses? Otherwise, I'll have to bring it to the independent and have them swap out the part, so I'd only pay labor.

Thanks all.

[SLAMMED_C]

The easiest thing to do so you dont spill coolant every where or lose any coolant is to drain some of the coolant from the cooling system.. this means opening the drain plug on the bottom of the rad, and put it into a container.
and as for your troubles with getting the thermostat cover off.. you may just have to reef on them to get them off.. they shouldnt break.. if anything they would break being put in over taking them out.
hope that helps.. good luck.

[marksbenz]

just drain all the coolant first you can always reuse it. instead of spilling it on your engine. for the bolts i soak it with WD40 or PB blaster overnight. then try it again it should come right off.

[GDawgC220]

thanks guys, will give it another shot.

[GDawgC220]

Originally posted by SLAMMED_C
The easiest thing to do so you dont spill coolant every where or lose any coolant is to drain some of the coolant from the cooling system.. this means opening the drain plug on the bottom of the rad, and put it into a container.
and as for your troubles with getting the thermostat cover off.. you may just have to reef on them to get them off.. they shouldnt break.. if anything they would break being put in over taking them out.
hope that helps.. good luck.

If I drain out the coolant and wanted to put fresh coolant in ( I don't think it's been changed in a while ) how much should I put back in? Should it be mixed with regular tap water or distilled water? Can I pick up any kind of coolant from like Autozone?

Ohh, where is the drain plug located? I'm planning to getting some Rhino Ramps today after work and getting under there...

Thanks!