Last x Days Posts  1 | 3 | 7 Days  Search  Topics  Tree View  Help
  Soarer Central * Basic Maintenance * Replace the V8 Thermostat Previous Previous    Next Next  

Author Message
Peter Nitschke
Moderator
GT4.0 V8

Posts: 1301
Reg: 11-2004

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: 
Votes: 14 (Vote!)

Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 04:10 am, by:  Peter Nitschke (Pen) Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

One of the first jobs I did when I bought my V8, was to flush the radiator.

After the flush, I noticed the temp gauge would normally sit 1 block below dead centre unless driving harder, eg uphill. It had always been in the centre before, so it appeared that the flush had been a good thing.

However more recently I have noticed that it takes longer to warm up when the weather is really cold, and coasting down hills, the temp gauge would actually drop back a few spots to the left.

So, time for a new thermostat. It's an easy job, you just need a bucket that can fit under the engine to catch the fluid when you drain it, 2 sockets, and a new thermostat and rubber gasket.

I bought my parts from Salisbury Toyota where we can all now get ALSC pricing on Toyota parts.

V8 Thermostat 90916-03129 $14.77
V8 Thermostat Gasket 16325-62010 $7.71

The part number can vary depending if they have substitute part numbers in stock.

Upload

For your safety, only do this when the engine is cool.

Locate the drain tap at the bottom rear passengers side of the radiator. There is a hole in the plastic engine tray where the fluid will drain out, place your bucket underneath that hole and open the tap until fluid starts to run out. I pushed a short bit of hose over the outlet to make sure it went into the bucket.

Once draining has started, you can carefully remove the radiator cap to allow air in for faster draining.

When mostly drained (it doesn't need to be completely empty), undo the bolt on top of the thermostat housing. If no fluid seeps out, then remove the bolt. If fluid seeps out, you need to drain the radiator more.

Upload

Undo and remove the bolts holding the black plastic thermostat housing in place. You might also want to replace it if it looks a bit cracked or crazed. Pull the housing back out of the way a bit, then you can remove the old thermostat. It might be a bit stuck, but should come out fairly easily.

Upload

If you have a junk buildup around the shoulder like I did, carefully clean it out, I used a screwdriver to scrape it away.

Fit the new rubber gasket ring on to the new thermostat, fit it back in, replace the cover and bolt it back on.

Before refilling the radiator, remove the drain tap fully and clean and inspect the rubber ring on the tap. Replace the tap and tighten it up, it doesn't need to be super tight.

IMPORTANT: Start refilling using the hole on top of the thermostat housing, otherwise you will end up with a lot of air left in the system.

Upload

It fills slowly, so take your time. Only after that is full, replace the bolt and then top up the radiator via the normal radiator cap.

Check your bolts are tight, replace the radiator cap and you are done. I suggest monitoring the fluid level in case you have any air still to come out.

Note: Only use Toyota Long Life red coolant. I buy the concentrate then dilute it to 50% with demineralised water as per the instructions.

It actually has a new label now. New label on the left, old label on the right.

Upload Upload

  Administration Administration      Log Out Log Out Previous Previous      Next Next