Ohktya

Just got a new thermostat, do i need to drain the coolant when replacing it. Or will it go all over the place if i don’t ?
VQ30DEK
Also wondering how long it normally takes your maxima to get up to temp it’s a 2001 maxima gle

uptownsamcv

it's always good to put in some fresh coolant. the lubricant in it lubricates the water pump.

User1

T-stat quick swap won't lose much coolant. I'd still drain the system and add new coolant for good measure like uptown suggested. Operating temp on any modern vehicle should be fairly quick.

I35GEEK

I have proactively changed my thermostat when I did some timing chain work recently. You will want to drain the coolant first. Coolant is cheap and it is easy to do. So why not? If you do not drain…,When you disconnect the radiator hose, coolant will go everywhere. You just created more work by having to clean up coolant all over your engine. You also risk getting coolant in your alternator below and risk damaging it. It is not worth it trying to save time by skipping steps IMO.

My temperature goes up to normal after driving it for about a mile. So not that long at all. More like 5 to 10 min. Is your thermostat faulty?

User1

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Yeah, drain the system.

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

Test t-stat before installing in a pot with thermometer (180*). Most of them just don't work, seriously. I tried three in a row and none opened lower than 212.
In fact, it's not even worth the trouble if not OEM, b/c all of aftermarket for sale are just motorad and they're useless.

I gave up on my RWDs. I gutted the stock tstat and used a housing in the top coolant hose that takes old GM stats.

Reality sucks

iTrader: (3)

My Tech Tip to you for doing this Job is to Make Shift a Cardboard cover or something to Cover the top of the alternator. So Coolant doesn't spill into it. The engine side of the T stat housing doesn't get drained unfortunately when you drain the coolant, It will be coolant when you take this off, drained or not it wont be a lot but enough to make a spill in the alternator......

Ohktya

Thanks for the feedback, i’ll just drain the coolant. I didn’t want to cause of my wallet running dry, but i’ll just wait till next paycheck and drain the coolant before i replace the thermostat.

I35GEEK

I used a plastic grocery bag and put the alternator inside the bag. Then Tie the handles around alternator. Now you have a free alternator cover to protect alternator from coolant drips from above. Good luck!

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

Or unhook battery terminal LOL. Also, unless the coolant is shot, it's not that great of a conductor.