Thermostat installation

[cscott784]

HEllo. I wrote a thread about my car overheating and it was recommended that I first replace my thermostat. Does anyone know where I can find a tutorial to help me do so. Also, how long does it take. I would like to do it during my 1 hour lunch.

Thanks

Scott

[Jmunk]

Get a Helms or Chiltons book. It's pretty easy but you need to drain he radiator.

[sastanley]

If you have $60 - get the real Honda manual (sold by Helm as stated above) www.helminc.com

However, for easier tasks like a thermostat, a Chilton's will suffice - they are about $20. Now that I have the real Honda manual, I don't even know where my Chilton's went.

You'll need a pan to collect the antifreeze...you could get away without actually draining the radiator, but you'll still need to collect what pours out of the upper radiator pipe when you remove it to get to the thermostat (the thermostat is right where the upper radiator hose connects to the head) If your collection pan is clean you can re-use the antifreeze, since you don't want to just toss it in your local storm drain...or bottle it up and take it to the same place you return used oil. When you put antifreeze back in, mix it 50/50 with water..unless you buy the pre-mixed. There is also a process for bleeding the air out of your cooling system too, but I recommend you get a repair manual.

Don't forget the $0.50 gasket when you buy the thermostat....otherwise antifreeze will most likely leak from the housing when you put it back together...and take some time (using a razor blade) to clean off the old gasket but be careful to not scratch up or gouge the metal you are scraping.

You might be able to do it in an hour, but you may also want to have alternate transportation as a backup plan in case you don't finish it.

[FourthGenHatch]

Just follow the lower radiator hose to where it connects to the engine. Take off the 2 bolts on that housing and inside it is the thermostat. Just pull the old one out and pop the new one in. Make sure to get a new gasket when you do this. You don't need to drain the radiator but stick a pan or something to catch all the crap that leaks out. Then just run the car and fill back up the radiator.

[civicHBsi91]

but you'll still need to collect what pours out of the upper radiator pipe when you remove it to get to the thermostat (the thermostat is right where the upper radiator hose connects to the head)

you mean lower radiator hose..........

[civickiller]

hmm i thought it was upper too. lower does not make no sense because then coolant wont be flowing through the engine beacuse it stops right at the engine but doesnt go through it. but acutally after thinking about it, yeah lower

[civicHBsi91]

the upper hose just goes str8 into the head.......nothin there cept a gasket for that piece

[Jmunk]

Follow the lower hose off the radiator and you'll find the thermostat. Thats why you have to drain the radiator.

[cscott784]

Great! Thanks alot guys. I just bought another 90hb so It wont matter if I finish today or not.

THanks

Scott

[sastanley]

Originally posted by civicHBsi91
you mean lower radiator hose..........

Ooops...so I do...thanks for catching that. The bleeder valve is at the upper hose fitting I think