Vectra c 1.8 sri 2003 thermostat change

[daddycool]

Hi can any1 tell me how much anti freeze i need for my car as im going todo a thermostat+housing change this week.

also is there a diagram for changing a thermostat on my vectra c 1.8 sri 2003?

im no good with cars and im sure i was shown something sometime ago of how to change this.

thanks

[taffy bhoy]

easy job mate, i done mine just after xmas and im not mechanically minded at all.
i used this guide

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122762

i must admit i cheated a bit though, i didnt drain the system properly, all i done was undo the 2 bolts holding the thermostat housing in place and as it popped out i just let the water drain out that way into a basin that i put under the car.
then i topped up the coolant and bled the system

[Critch]

You should only need about a litre if you don't drain the system

[daddycool]

easy job mate, i done mine just after xmas and im not mechanically minded at all.
i used this guide

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122762

i must admit i cheated a bit though, i didnt drain the system properly, all i done was undo the 2 bolts holding the thermostat housing in place and as it popped out i just let the water drain out that way into a basin that i put under the car.
then i topped up the coolant and bled the system

seems like a easier way,
do u have to bleed the system or does it bleed it self on these cars?
ifso where and how do i do this?
Thanks you

[daddycool]

You should only need about a litre if you don't drain the system

so basically it will only loose around a ltr if i dont drain hole system so i just top up with coolant?

[taffy bhoy]

all i done was top it up to level, run the engine till the fans kicked in with the cap off, when they kicked in, the level dropped, i then topped up again, untill fans kicked in again, checked the level, replaced cap, job done. kept an eye on the level for a few days after, but never needed topping up again
i just bought one of those 1l bottles from vx for £2-£3 which was more than enough.

i also never replaced the whole housing unit, i bought the stat from ebay for around £12-£15, cant remember exactly, and fitted it the the existing housing

[Critch]

Basically as above mate top it up run engine wait for thermo stat to open and fans kick in. Top up a little bit and then should be great from there.


I usually pump the hose to ensure no air gets locked in.

[awilson1234]

No need to pump the hose, the system is anti air lock...

[Critch]

Aaa fair enough I work on 50 odd year old trucks so it's habit lol

[daddycool]

thanks guys,
well i purchased genuine thermostat and houseing with gasket and coolant sensor as im sure my sensor is faulty at a cost of £34.50 total, I also purchased the top radiator hose that goes to the thermostat as i noticed i have this huge bubble on the hose that touchs the exhaust guard and look like it will pop any day!! which i was supprised this was only £9 from vauxhall.
so just 1ltr of anti freeze.
i do have a water loss issue and my car needs topping up every few weeks/month,
i can see white residue around the header tank maybe this is a leak from the tank it self?.
or would a faulty thermostat/coolant sensor be the cause.
thank you