Thermostat replacement
 

I'm replacing my thermostat with the LN Engineering one.
My questions: Would clamping the hoses to the thermostat housing and to the water pump (or any other ones) limit the amount of coolant that will drain when the thermostat housing is removed? Would this reduce the amount of air getting in to the system that will need to bled out?

Regards,
mike

Yes and yes; but it will not eliminate the issue entirely. If you do not have access to a vacuum fill system, you will still need to "burp" the system to get all the air out..............And this project is also an ideal time to dump the entire system and do a fresh coolant and distilled water refill……………..

I would dump it all out and re-fill with fresh. If you can get a vacuum unit that is the way to do it, if not, follow the burping procedure to the letter to ensure you get all the air out.

Thanks for the replies.
The coolant is only about a year old so I had planned on just putting back in what comes out. Just trying to keep as much coolant in the car as possible and as much air out as possible.
No vacuum system handy, gotta swap it out in the street using jack stands and a pan.

There are special pliers/clamps made for doing this that work very well

I replaced the thermostat and waterpump at the same time, and I tried to clamp the hoses, but it didn't work that well. I was using these clamps from sears: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947051000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&block Type=G1

They weren't big enough to effectively close the large lines going to the radiator. They are not marked with a size, but the jaws are a hair over 2"

I ended up draining everything, because coolant was dripping on my face.

I can't find the link - if I do I'll post it later - but there's a place in N. VA whose sole business is renting out garage bays with tools, lifts and specialty tools. I remember seeing the website and thinking how reasonable the cost was. Don't quote me but I think between 30-60/hr depending on the tools you need beyond the standard mechanics tools. Discounts for half and full day.

I wish I could remember...

there it is.

it's in sterling.
http://www.ditymechanics.com/index.html

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