I'm planning to replace my thermostat soon as preventive maintenance. For those who've replaced theirs, was it okay to just let the coolant leak out over the alternator without damaging it, or should I make sure to cover the alternator with a garbage bag?

Thx in advance!

 

You should drain the radiator completely before removing the t-stat. You'll need to remove the upper radiator hose, and there will be a little leakage after that, which will not hurt the alternator, but have a rag ready just to keep the garage floor clean.

 

You're on crack! Drain the entire radiator for a t-stat change? I think not. Fluid just needs to be slightly below the top radiator hose.

 

After draining the rad, I placed a rag over the alt for safety sake as some residual coolant will come out when hose/stat removed.

 

If he's doing preventative maintenance, might as well replace the coolant while he's at it. No sense in doing a half *** job right?

 

Draining the radiator only will not get rid of all the coolant, i.e. heater core, water pump, etc..

 

Thanks guys, and lol at VQPower ("You're on crack!").

I think I'll ask the mechanic to cover the alternator for safety (too messy to do on the driveway and on jackstands; better to take to the shop on a hoist I think). And yeah, I drain the coolant from the rad once a year as maintenance, so I'll probably have it drained anyway before replacing.