My water pump blew up (coolant everywhere) at the end of last year so I replaced it and all the hoses. While I was doing that I tried to take the thermostat apart and sure enough, both bolts snapped. The FJ went into storage over the winter and there was a tiny bit of coolant under it every time I checked on it. Nothing major, just a few spoonfuls. I finally got around to looking for the leak last week. First of all, the radiator drain was plugged up so made a mess trying to empty the system by pulling a hose. Once it was empty, pulled the rad out, flipped it over and drilled into all the gunk (another common problem) that was plugging the hole and cleaned it out (1 problem down). Took a look at all the hoses and the pump and they were all dry but the thermostat housing had some coolant residue around it. Read up on the issue here and seemed like a simple fix. Picked up some new bolts and was hoping the top of the housing would pop right off and then I could vise-grip the rest of the bolt out. No such luck as the top housing wouldn't budge.
Question 1 - Is the top of the thermostat housing threaded for the bolts? I know people say to replace with stud bolts but that would mean the top is not threaded, would it not? If it's not threaded, any reason why the top would not just pop off? Tried a mallet, but no luck. Don't want to chance removing the housing from the block just in case those bolts snap.
Question 2 - Is there a secret to pulling the radiator drain plug without getting coolant everywhere? Besides, do it quick?
Thanks.
Question 1 - Is the top of the thermostat housing threaded for the bolts? I know people say to replace with stud bolts but that would mean the top is not threaded, would it not? If it's not threaded, any reason why the top would not just pop off? Tried a mallet, but no luck. Don't want to chance removing the housing from the block just in case those bolts snap.
Question 2 - Is there a secret to pulling the radiator drain plug without getting coolant everywhere? Besides, do it quick?
Thanks.