Installing AST from RX7.com
 

Folks... I know you are all going to hate me for waiting this long to change my stock AST, but I am finally doing it. :) Nothing's wrong with the stock one currently, but hey, this is one thing you don't want to wait to break to fix.

Anyways, I got one from RX7.com... I think from a brand standpoint, it's a Petit right? oh well, 150 bucks should get me a decent one.

I've searched and read through the numerous threads on AST's, need it, don't need it, etc. etc...But I am set on keeping it. As far as installing it, I am pretty sure it's pretty simple. In other words, disconnect hoses, unbolt stock AST, then connect hoses to new AST, and bolt back new AST. Anything I'm missing? :) I know I'll be doing it with a cold engine, of course, but any other tips? Anything that would limit my coolant spilling mess? How about after installation and everything is good to go, should I try to remove excess air bubbles by removing all caps, and squeezing the main hose on the bottom, then topping off the coolant?

I should be getting my new AST early next week... can't wait. Thanks in advance for the help

Crawl under the car and drain the coolant from the radiator drain plug first. Removal and installation of the AST itself is obvious. Refill. Done.

:) ummmm bolt it on? :rlaugh: I had too, , jeez I crack myself up!

I knew a response like this would come up :) but hey, I admitted earlier that it was a simple bolt on, but I just wanted to ask if there was anything I'm missing. Damon just replied above, that I have to drain all the coolant first??? anyone else done this? or can i just remove the old ast and put the new one on?

Sure, but you also said you wish to minimize the mess. If you don't drain the coolant where do you think all of it's going to go when you begin removing hoses? ;)

I didn't drain the radiator, but it's not a bad idea if you haven't flushed your radiator in a while. Use a turkey baster to suck out as much fluid from the old AST, then pull the hoses and connect up the new one. Lastly, put the coolant back. ;)

If you spill any coolant on the pulley belts, it might make them squeak for a day or two.

Sorry dude, I just had to, I saw the opening and had to take it.... I'm still noob as the come, but hey, gotta take what I can get :bigthumb:

hehehe he said "turkey baster" I tried to do that once and got arrested for aggrivated basting of waterfowl....

san dimas highschool football sucks

Make sure you put the turkey baster back in the kitchen drawer when you're done with it.

good idea Mahjik... I will do that. I knew that turkey baster would come in handy!!! :)

In addition, what do you guys think of this idea? After sucking the coolant in the stock AST, I was thinking of using vise-grips to clamp the existing hose (about 2 or 3 inches from the ends of course) going into and out of the stock AST. THEN I can safely remove the hoses from the existing AST, then the AST itself with minimal mess. Then put the hoses on the new AST, remove the clamps, bolt the AST back on, then voila! :)

You shouldn't need to pinch the lines, just keep the ends above the coolant level, and all you need to evacuate from the system is the AST. vise grips are alittle harsh for pinching off hoses and if your running a pressurizes system could cause damage to the hose and a weak spot under pressure.

its very simple. one thing i would really do is the radiator flush as long as your at it. may as well...i was gonna wait, but i made such a horrible mess i ended up doing it that day :rlaugh: its way easier with the coolant drained 1st.

ast install+draining it=my garage flooded :rlaugh: if possible remove the undertray...not even 1/2 of it made it to my bucket because of that thing
the ast is very straightforward. its like 1 bolt and 2 hoses. i waited too long to get mine too. did it a few weeks ago

Thanks for all the advice guys… I appreciate it. I should get the part tomorrow and will be ready to go.

Another thing I thought about though, was has anyone seen any problems with hose brittleness? I mean, I was just worried that in my attempt to undo the hoses from the stock AST, I could foresee (Murphy's law) the hose cracking, leaking coolant everywhere, and leaving me unable to reconnect the hose to the new AST. Anyone see any problems like this? How do I avoid it?

RUFUS!!! :bigthumb: *cue cheap guitar lick*

Honestly, you are more likely to break the plastic nipples on the stock AST than to damage the hoses. I wouldn't worry about it just yet.

kk... fair enough. Thanks for the advice all...

I changed out the hoses on the ast when I did mine, and did the two on the radiator for shits and giggles, too. Figured it would be a good thing to do since the fluid was drained. Wound up putting a koyo in about 6 months later, anyway, but oh well.

You might want to consider replacing the hoses that go to the overflow tank with proper pressure type rad hose (small). They aren't in the pressurized part of our system, but are thin and can collapse easilly. When they collapse they prevent the system from drawing coolant back from the overflow tank.

When I replaced mine I had to reroute them as the thicker hose doesn't bend as tightly. BTW, I just purchased suitable lengths of "bulk" rad. hose of the appropriate diameter.

I also mounted the AST as high as I could, to ensure it would be the "bubble holder" for the system. As I had removed the air pump, the AST went there.

I didnt drain my radiator, I just brought a roll of paper towells with me to soak up the mess ;)

Pinch the line before you diconnect it no need to drain coolant been doing too much work people got to keep it simple

11 years! Is that a new record? Has anyone called Guinness to verify?

It MAY be a new record...due to the infamous 'crash'...


Ronx7 - did you search for this thread or just decide to chime in...?

lol... Man I sure hope he figured it out after all this time :lol: