Rep Power: 266

I really really don't want to remove all the radiator fluid again, so:

1. If I take off the thermostat housing, how much coolant will come out? I'm worried it will shoot out like niagra falls.

2. If I remove the coolant from the radiator using the release valve, and I empty the botton hose, will there be coolant still in the thermostat housing?

 
Rep Power: 812

only one way to find out lol. but it wont shoot out if you open the cap to depressurize the system first. since most of the coolant is in the radiator, i dont see how it can flow upwards and come out. some will be in the housing, but just put a big towel under it when you take the bolts off.

 
Rep Power: 266

Thanks, Here goes...

 
Rep Power: 266

So yeah, I get started and I put the car facing the street on the driveway which is inclined, and I drain the fluid through the release valve. Fluid looked dark but in good condition. I moved to the thermo housing and remove the upper radiator hose and release the two screws on the housing. "All is well," I thought. Housing comes off and there's the thermostat. I slip it off a little and the antifreeze takes me by surprise and starts pouring out past my towl. Not too much but enough for me to be sad, because I don't like that poison getting everwhere. We poison the Earth so bad.

So I clean up the mess with a towl and install the new thermostat. My previous thermo was bought from auto-zone and it was called Fail-safe for 16 dollars. Well ****, it certainly failed safely the day I put it in, which was 2 years ago, because I don't remember my fan coming on once, so it must have not worked properly. Or the temp spec was higher than 176-open and 194-fan. I paid 26 bones for a Honda OEM one which came with a new gasket and installed it. I put everything back together and add new coolant.

I take the car for a spin and push it hard to get the engine hot. I park it at a park and look inside to see if the fan is kicking on. Hmmm, still no fan. So I turn on AC and no fan still, just AC fan is on. I rev the engine to 3K for 10 seconds, and it comes on. Engine temp is 1/3rd at normal.

So I'm happy as a dog with two tails while I'm swinging on the swings in celebration, and I come back to find antifreeze running down the asphalt. It's dripping quickly. I look in the engine, and I forgot to clamp my upper radiator hose.

The moral of the story is to check everything 3 times.

 
Rep Power: 257

i hate having that stuff sprayed all over the motor...pain to get it all off

I wire my fans to a switch into the cabin so I can control them myself. Normally I just have them on all the time.

 
Rep Power: 266

I'm going to do that too, it's a great idea. I think I got the idea from you.

 
Rep Power: 812

except that those fans use ALOT of power. even just the radiator fan clicking on causes the idle to drop and lights to dim.

 
Rep Power: 257

I have never had any problems over the course of a couple years. I guess that may shorten the life of the alternator

 
Rep Power: 305

theres no point to having the fan run all the time. its already controled to come on when its most efficient to anyways.

oh yes, never get a thermostat from autozone. they gave me one once that had a lower operating temp then OEM so my car took 10 minutes to get to operating temperature. just go to Honda for those things.

 
Rep Power: 812

wow lol. how long does oem last usually? im at 80k now and my car warms up in a few minutes.

 
Rep Power: 266

Probably 6-10 years, something like that. I replaced mine at 90K with the autozone one. And just now with OEM at 113k

 
Rep Power: 257

yes, there was a point actually

 
Rep Power: 305

Ok.

 
Rep Power: 252

what was that point?

 
Rep Power: 257

*****

 
Rep Power: 266

Everyone's on edge from overwork and the economy. No surprise here. I went to pick up my sister today, and I passed 2 accidents. Probably caused by friday stress.

 
Rep Power: 257

Im not on edge from too much work...I havent had a job in a year...Dept of Veterans Affairs pays my bills. I just don't like arrogant people.

 
Rep Power: 305

yea, well next time you try to make a point - actually make your point.

telling people "yea, theres a reason" for you to wire up a switch to your fan explains nothing.

 
Rep Power: 257

I dont feel I have any obligationto explain myself. And i never said I was trying to make a point. I just stated that there was a point in wiring it that way. If you wanted to hear why you would have asked instead of acting like an arrogant *****.

 
Rep Power: 812

yeah alot of angry people on the road stomping the gas and driving like retards with their suv/truck then complaining later how high gas price is.

 
Rep Power: 0

I know everyone is angry but since this is degrading, anyone know how much amperage our stock fans draw? I need to buy a relay to wire up my manual switch properly.

 
Rep Power: 0

Nevermind, it draws about 13.5 amps.