Thermostat replacement - drain coolant?

[oddnumber]

Hi all, I'm looking to replace the thermostat on my 1,9 DF (early type). Haynes suggest draining the coolant first - is this necessary? Would it not just be a case of bleeding the system after?

Ta very much

[Ian Hulley]

Would it not just be a case of bleeding the system after?

While not really conversant with the early system but normally if you stick it's ar$e in the air you can catch the coolant and just top it back up and bleed .... that's IF the coolant mix is correct and it doesn't need replacing in the first place.

Ian

[oddnumber]

Thanks Ian, that's what I was hoping

I guessed that because of the position of the thermostat, there wouldn't be a massive amount to lose?

[Ian Hulley]

Thanks Ian, that's what I was hoping

I guessed that because of the position of the thermostat, there wouldn't be a massive amount to lose?

Not too much and with a bucket underneath the pump you should catch most of it ... obviously as I said I'm only fluent with the late system.

Ian

[DuaneEddy]

I think you can access the thermostat from underneath- only two boltss - depending on the exhaust routing / fittings
I took the housing off mine and left the pump on - I was lucky as it had been apart before - but noticed that if I could access the two little bolts - it would have been a quicker way
I caught the water / antifreeze mixed and reused then topped up with the purple stuff (mine was already running on correct stuff)