I need to swap out my thermostat I've seen a youtube video on how to do it on an x350 xjr, layout looks the same on an x356.
If I didn't drain any coolant before removing the housing how much is likely to flow out?
If I drained some coolant from the rad before starting, how much would I need to drain so that the system is only drained to the level of the thermostat? If you were me do you think I should just do a complete drain and refill. My thoughts are if I only drain just enough for the job there will be less air to bleed from the system.
Thermostat Swap
Re: Thermostat Swap
Order your thermostat based on your vehicle VIN. Take care with that because there are two or three different stats for a 350. When you dismantle, take photographs to ensure you get the stat located correctly.
If you don`t know how old your antifreeze mix is, then best to change the lot!
You only need to drop the coolant level below the thermostat housing to fit a new stat. That would probably be about three litres of fluid.
Its worth definitely worth changing the thermostat from around 80k miles. They don`t usually work reliably for much longer. Suggest you also change the cylinder head temp sensor on the manifold as you will be working in that area. Again, the sensors can give up at 80k miles onwards. Stat and sensor work in close harmony. A fault in either can cause poor running. Faulted together, running becomes very poor indeed. These engines have a "precision" cooling system which essentially implies all components have to be on the top line.
Do check the stub pipe integrity of the header tank. These can embrittle and fall off showering hot coolant every where...usually on the hard shoulder of a motorway!
Once you have refilled, start the car and squeeze hoses to expel air from the system with the header tank cap removed. Make sure you have set the heater controls to full hot on the console panel inside the car. Keep squeezing the hoses until all the air is out. Top up fluid as required. Drive the car, remove the header cap, do some more hose squeezing and topping up. Set header tank fluid level and that`s the job done. Keep an eye on fluid levels for a day or so checking for any leaks or marked drop in fluid level.
Expect a bit of a fight removing the three bolt on the thermostat housing. One of them is quite badly obscured by metal work. That is the worst aspect of the job. Otherwise, its pretty straight forward.
Mike
If you don`t know how old your antifreeze mix is, then best to change the lot!
You only need to drop the coolant level below the thermostat housing to fit a new stat. That would probably be about three litres of fluid.
Its worth definitely worth changing the thermostat from around 80k miles. They don`t usually work reliably for much longer. Suggest you also change the cylinder head temp sensor on the manifold as you will be working in that area. Again, the sensors can give up at 80k miles onwards. Stat and sensor work in close harmony. A fault in either can cause poor running. Faulted together, running becomes very poor indeed. These engines have a "precision" cooling system which essentially implies all components have to be on the top line.
Do check the stub pipe integrity of the header tank. These can embrittle and fall off showering hot coolant every where...usually on the hard shoulder of a motorway!
Once you have refilled, start the car and squeeze hoses to expel air from the system with the header tank cap removed. Make sure you have set the heater controls to full hot on the console panel inside the car. Keep squeezing the hoses until all the air is out. Top up fluid as required. Drive the car, remove the header cap, do some more hose squeezing and topping up. Set header tank fluid level and that`s the job done. Keep an eye on fluid levels for a day or so checking for any leaks or marked drop in fluid level.
Expect a bit of a fight removing the three bolt on the thermostat housing. One of them is quite badly obscured by metal work. That is the worst aspect of the job. Otherwise, its pretty straight forward.
Mike
X350 Co-ordinator
2004 XJR
2004 XJR
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