durtysc300

I hope I'm in the right section...anyway, my car was randomly overheating when the temperature outside was warm, so I figured it was the thermostat/old coolant..so I decided to do a write up..no pics since I don't have a camera


1. Lift the front of the car and drain coolant in an appropriate container. I have an oil container that I used. The rad drain plug is closer to the drivers side and just unscrew and pull out, be careful though as the fluid will start to come out fast!
2. Remove intake to get access to the waterneck.
3. Once the intake is out of the way, you have access to the lower radiator hose. Using a pair of pretty large pliers, remove the clip that keeps it tight. *Be careful with the lower hose if it hasn't been replaced!
4. This is optional. I never have changed the coolant in my car, so I decided to flush the system using water. Let the water drain for a few minutes.
5. Using a 1/4 inch 10mm socket, remove the two nuts holding the waterneck in place.
6. The thermostat is pretty obvious when you see it. Mine was held in place by a little tab that had to be pulled up with needle nose pliers. The gasket/seal was completely shredded and had expanded.
7. Using an oem replacement, roll the seal/gasket around the sharper edge of the tstat, kind of like ringing a piston.
8. Slowly put the gasketed tstat into the waterneck, making sure the gasket does not break or warp or not be flush with the edge of the waterneck.
9. Replace the waterneck and the 2 nuts
10. Fill system with fresh coolant and in my case, a new radiator cap
11. Test drive, check for leaks, and enjoy!

Psyco

You helped me alot!!!!!

MastrShake

Good write-up, really helpful.