audifan4000

i need to replace the fan thermo switch in the radiator on my 89 200tq but i would like to recover as much coolant as possible because it is only a few months old, anyone out there have any good tips on how to do this without wasting coolant? any help is greatly appreciated!

Kneale Brownson

Never attempted this, but it's possible you could use a turkey baster to empty the overflow tank and then take the hose off the bottom of the overflow tank and run it into a container. That hose comes off the bottom of the radiator, I believe.

Eric NY

Beleive the overflow hose is "closer" to the top than the bottom (of the radiator)

Best i've been able to do is pull the lower hose off (pita!) and get SOME coolant in the drain pan.

Another example of an over engineered car that's missing a simple coolant drain?

eric

Kneale Brownson

The overflow tank has TWO hoses, one off the bottom (Item # 41) that goes to nearer the bottom of the radiator and one off the top (Item 42) that goes to the top of the radiator:

<img src="http://www.vagcat.com/p/B089/011000.png">

Dave from Gig Harbor

I just replaced the overflow tank, and used a turkey baster to great success. You need a big clean container next to the tank, and just keep removing antifreeze with the baster. You will need to take off the three mounting screws toward the end to tilt the tank, at least on the 200 20v, to get the last bit of coolant. It is also easier to remove the bottom hose with the tank loose. Once you get the hose off, you will need to figure out how to drain it into a clean container that is at a lower level than the thermo switch. Have fun.

rooster 2

is located at the bottom, fire wall side of the radiator, close to the block. It is impossible to see, but you can feel the switch with your fingers.

If that is the correct location, when I changed mine, I simply had the new replacement switch within arm's length. I removed the old switch using a socket on a 3/8 inch drive. When I had nearly unscrewed the old switch, I removed the socket from the unit. I used my fingers to unscrew the switch the last few threads. Once out, I moved very very quickly to plug the hole gushing antifreeze by screwing in the new swich with my finger tips. With this method, I lost minimal antifreeze, and made minimal mess spilling antifreeze. I think I used electrical tape wrapped around the electrical connector part of the switch to keep out coolant, when installing the new switch. Once fully installed, I removed the tape, and installed the factory wiring electrical connector.

Any spilled antifreeze in the engine bay, I washed away by pouring some fresh water on it. This job is best done on your drive way to a stone cold motor.

audifan4000

turns out the 4 month old coolant is a nice rust color, no blue whatsoever. i had put in a used engine and freshened up all the fluids, i guess the inside of the block must have been real rusty, which would explain why it ran hotter than the old engine. i noticed the past few weeks it has started to gradually run cooler so i must have dislodged some stuck rust and now its circulating through the whole cooling system , a month ago it was a nice pentsin blue so it must have happened recently. guess its time for a flush and some fresh coolant, thanks for all the suggestions it is very much appreciated!