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Thread: How much coolant do I need to drain to change T-stat?

  1. 12-07-2006, 04:36 PM #1
    EvanUrS4
    EvanUrS4 is offline Confused Audi Guy
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    How much coolant do I need to drain to change T-stat?

    The coolant in the car is almost new, I don't really want to flush the whole thing and worry about air bubbles, etc.

    Can I just let out a little, swap the thermostat housing/t-stat and refill?
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  2. 12-07-2006, 05:07 PM #2
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    99MPower
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    you can, but you will lose some coolant, just make sure you get all the air out afterwords, as you WILL have air in the system, you wont lose a TON of coolant, but you will have air, make sure to vent everything and get back in running order, and you should be good to go
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  3. 12-07-2006, 05:52 PM #3
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    magnetic1
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    Evan, you should only lose what's in the hose and system at the level of the thermostat. Perfectly fine.

    Refill and bleed after.
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  4. 12-07-2006, 07:04 PM #4
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    Just put a clean bucket under the radiator's petcock (who names these things ) and empty the fluid into the bucket and when you're done just dump it back in.
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  5. 12-07-2006, 07:43 PM #5
    EvanUrS4
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    Bleh, if I have to bleed it no matter how I do it I might as well just flush it. Bleeding it sounds like a total pain.
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  6. 12-07-2006, 07:45 PM #6
    GotBHP?
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    Quote Originally Posted by EvanUrS4 View Post
    Bleh, if I have to bleed it no matter how I do it I might as well just flush it. Bleeding it sounds like a total pain.
    More or less all you have to do is unscrew 1 bleedscrew and run the motor until the air stops coming out...
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  7. 12-07-2006, 07:50 PM #7
    EvanUrS4
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    Quote Originally Posted by GotBHP? View Post
    More or less all you have to do is unscrew 1 bleedscrew and run the motor until the air stops coming out...
    Perhaps I should re-read the DIY. I could have sworn it sounded more time consuming than that.

    Thanks for the input guys.
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  8. 12-07-2006, 07:53 PM #8
    GotBHP?
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    Quote Originally Posted by EvanUrS4 View Post
    Perhaps I should re-read the DIY. I could have sworn it sounded more time consuming than that.

    Thanks for the input guys.
    Draining it is a PITA and its really messy. Bleeding is the easy part
    -Peter

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  9. 12-07-2006, 07:59 PM #9
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    Remember that after you refill it when you're done with the job, bring a gallon of coolat/distilled water mixture with you because it will go down a few times after each time you fill the reservoir up...

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  10. 12-07-2006, 09:41 PM #10
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    beatniks325
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    i think the bleeding guide at the end of the www.understeer.com waterpump guide is a good method.

    just starting the car and let it run isn't going to get all the air out in any quick manner.
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