Hey all, I'm wondering if someone can help me out with some advice. I ordered an aluminum AST and am going to install it this weekend (hopefully). I want to do it without draining my coolant out but I'm not sure if I can. My plan was to get a couple of house plugs and just try to plug each hose real quick before it gushes everywhere.... Obviously I will lose some fluid (the amount in the AST at least) but I want to know if there is anything really important in the process that might screw me over. Like should I fill the new AST? Will I have to bleed my rad? Is there anything that I should absolutely avoid at all costs?


Thanks in advance.... Sorry about the noob questions.... First time replacing an AST

 

30 seconds into the 3rd gen Frequently asked Questions would have saved you a Thread.

Air Separation Tank / AST / Coolant Expansion Tank:
Often fails due to heat and pressure. Many people replace them or remove them from the system.
Coolant Air Separation Tank
Coolant Air Separation Tank Elimination

Yes you will lose some coolant but that is the NORM for doing this...rags will help you keep it clean and minimal.

Good Luck..and by the way your post count is sufficient to post in 3rd Gen specific now so let the New Guys post here and you can post in that section.They cannot do that until they get sufficient count.
Thanks.STYX (MOD)

 

When I was swapping ASTs I pulled the lines and drained what came out into gallon zip lock bags and plugged each line with a bolt. You won't lose too much coolant. Hold the removed line up high until you get it plugged and wipe up the rest. System bleeds out easily with an AST. It's not a difficult swap.

 

Might be a good time to check the lines for condition. That line going to the overflow bottle is thin-walled and kinks easy. Good time for new caps too, especially if the AST didn't come with one. I recommend sticking with OEM, .9 bar on the spring version. And at the risk of insulting you with something usually obvious, the spring cap goes on the AST and the non-spring cap on the filler neck.

 

Thanks for the replies guys!!! The ziploc bag is a great idea!! I also have new caps on both the AST and filler neck that I bought last year so I'll just reuse them. I'll give the lines a good look when I get the AST off but they look in good condition from what I can tell.

sorry for posting in the newb forum...I'll post in the 3rd gen specific from now on.

 

I hate slopping coolant everywhere too.

Good that you have the new caps. I had a prob where my flat cap on the t stat housing was leaking pressure and vacuum but not coolant. Took me quite a while to diagnose. Now I always dip my finger in the coolant and wipe some on the seal every time I replace the cap...like your supposed to anyway.

If after complete cool down your coolant level stays the same and is around an inch or two from top of the inlet for the flat cap your caps and overflow sys should be OK.