So the thermostat's easy to change...........eh????????????????????? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

redgtxdi · 09-17-2005, 11:13 PM

So I drained & refilled the Prizm tonite. Uuuuuhhhh........I also bought a thermostat to change since I'm quite sure mine is stuck,(water runs thru radiator even at startup so that's why it doesn't get very warm) but ummmm............I learned quickly that it ain't on the other end of that big hose in the FRONT!!

Oh no..............

It's on the end of that OTHER large hose in the BACK...........UNDERNEATH the distributor!!! WTF???????????????

So how the HECK do I get to reachin' THAT sucker????

(definitely need to run some 'flush' or 'anti-rust' thru her too. Definitely see some rust lookin down the radiator cap.)

Oh, and also.........these suckers apparently don't hold very much. I'd guess about a gallon or maaaaaaybe a 1.5 gallons of total capacity???

toyotaspeed90 · 09-18-2005, 12:05 AM

what year???? on imports the thermostat is always on the lower radiator hose where it connects at the thermostat housing.....

redgtxdi · 09-18-2005, 01:15 AM

'95

Looks like at the very least, the distributor cap will have to come off, but don't think that's even gonna be enough. Probably gonna have to come up from under the car to get at that bottom bolt, unless I can find a way to worm a swivel in there. What a PITA!!!

I also don't know how the he// the timing belt can even be reached on these suckers. Too cramped & too much sheotttza in the way!

Here's hopin' I can get at that thermostat 'cuz I already bought everything to change it & flush/refill the system.

toyotaspeed90 · 09-18-2005, 03:04 AM

um, yeah..... it's just the 2 bolts on the housing under the distributor.... should be able to do w/o pulling the dizzy or the cap....... if you do have to pull the dizzy, however, mark where it's sitting and just pull it off. since it runs off the cam it's a simple slot style dizzy.

Flashmn · 09-18-2005, 03:32 AM

Quote:

what year???? on imports the thermostat is always on the lower radiator hose where it connects at the thermostat housing.....

Thats not exactly so, only SOME imports have them on the lower radiator hose. Alot of (mostly) they're on the upper rad hose. Like on VW's, Nissans, etc.

Tho I never pulled the dizzy to change the thermostat.

***REN69*** · 09-18-2005, 08:03 AM

On a FWD 4AGE the thermostat housing is on the lower rad hose, right by the transmission. I guess its different on a 4/7AFE

Flashmn · 09-18-2005, 10:07 AM

Same with the 4 and 7A-FE's

redgtxdi · 09-18-2005, 11:40 AM

Anybody car to vote on the following????? (Assuming I'm able to get at that thermostat)

1.) Run some cooling system treatment that you leave in for a bit and then drain???

2.) Prestone back-flush system that goes in-line on the heater hoses & uses garden hose???

3.) Take it to a real shop & let them do a "power flush"???

Regarding #2.....it's almost the same prob as the thermostat. There's really not even enough room to that tap-in segment in there 'cuz there just ain't even really enough heater hose exposed to install.

?????????????????????????

Flashmn · 09-18-2005, 12:53 PM

You dont need to backflush with a system, you can do it by taking off the hoses for the rad and blowing water through the upper hose, then do the same to the rad. blow water in through the lower hose.

...then again my car is a 1990 and I havent flushed it once, I'd just replaced the coolant.

reldot1 · 02-03-2006, 04:40 PM

I don't know about the rest of you, but I do not like messing with distributors. In my '97 Corolla I just removed the Air filter. Three bolts and a few snap connectors and I was good to go. Thanks to all for the hint to follow the lower hose! I was about to go after the upper hose.