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Need to change my ECT. Having a hard time finding info on how to do it. I am guessing I should drain some coolant out the bottom radiator spout. Then unscrew the old one, and screw in the new one. Do I need to seal the threads? Do I really need to drain the fluid? Any tricks like lift the front of the vehicle so I don’t have to mess with coolant? Thanks for any tips.
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I have never bothered draining coolant when I’ve changed them. Put a few rags under the old one to catch what comes out. Have the new one handy so you can put it directly in as soon as you get the old one out, then just be sure to bleed what ever air you allow into the system back out, and you’ll be good to go.
It depends on how easy it is to get to.
If it’s out in the open and near the top of the engine, then no sweat, you just unscrew it, put your finger over the hole, then quickly jam the new one in there (remove the finger first). You can even put some sealant on the threads of the new sensor if you’re persnickety or don’t want any leaks.
But some of them are in a hard to get to place, and near the bottom of the engine, where if yo unscrew the old one a lot of coolant is going to squirt out before you can get the new one in. Cue the usual Three Stooges film clip.
But draining the coolant can also cause a lot of hydraulic hilarity. Splashing and spilling is almost inevitable. So it’s a horse apiece.
So just use your best judgement.
[quote=”Tomh” post=84640]I have never bothered draining coolant when I’ve changed them. Put a few rags under the old one to catch what comes out. Have the new one handy so you can put it directly in as soon as you get the old one out, then just be sure to bleed what ever air you allow into the system back out, and you’ll be good to go.[/quote]
This is exactly how I do it. A little bit of RTV on the threads can’t hurt. You’ll need a 17mm deep well socket. Just in case you loose a LOT of fluid you might need to bleed the system when you’re done. This video can guide you through that process.
Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes for you.
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