Coolant change, does time of year matter?

TurboRoo · 03-10-2005, 10:20 AM

I searched around and couldn’t find an exact answer. I’ve been working on doing the 30K service and have most of it done, 03 wrx btw. I just have a stupid question. Does the time of year matter much when changing the coolant? Is it best to change it now or should I wait till after summer? I don’t have any problems and it’s still nice and green. I don’t plan to change it till it warms up some at the earliest though. Messing with coolant with 30 degrees weather isn’t fun.

I also plan to change out the thermostat while I’m at it. It’s cheap and have to drain most of it anyway to replace it. Quick question about that too. Does the thermostat housing have a gasket I need to replace? My old car didn’t but I’m not sure about this one and want to make sure I have it if I need one.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

OneOBS · 03-10-2005, 10:29 AM

You can change coolant anytime. Yes, the thermostat requires a gasket. Its one of those flattened o-ring type things that goes around the flange of the thermostat. Hopefully, the thermostat will come from one, but if not, get one from the dealer.

bheinz57 · 03-10-2005, 12:10 PM

Anytime. Brian

TurboRoo · 03-10-2005, 03:34 PM

Thanks, I just wanted to make sure.

ImprezaVA · 03-11-2005, 09:08 AM

I always do it in the summer time when its warm outside because I always end up getting water everywhere. As for your car's preference, anytime will make the radiator happy.

-Charles-

Mike Wevrick · 03-11-2005, 11:11 PM

I can't see why the season would matter, except for your comfort.

TurboRoo · 03-13-2005, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Wevrick

I can't see why the season would matter, except for your comfort.

I’ve seen that some recommend doing it in the fall before winter verses other times of the year. So I was curious if it really mattered or not.

eltrouble · 03-16-2005, 02:38 AM

it don't matter. i just replace it everytime my overflow tank gets a bit TOO low...

View Poll Results: Best time to change coolant?
Before summer (spring) aka now	0	0%
Summer	0	0%
After summer (fall)	1	8.33%
Winter	1	8.33%
Anytime of the year	10	83.33%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

03-10-2005, 10:20 AM	#1
TurboRoo Scooby Newbie Member#: 53299 Join Date: Jan 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: PA Vehicle: 2013 don't panic... and bring a towel!	Coolant change, does time of year matter? I searched around and couldn’t find an exact answer. I’ve been working on doing the 30K service and have most of it done, 03 wrx btw. I just have a stupid question. Does the time of year matter much when changing the coolant? Is it best to change it now or should I wait till after summer? I don’t have any problems and it’s still nice and green. I don’t plan to change it till it warms up some at the earliest though. Messing with coolant with 30 degrees weather isn’t fun. I also plan to change out the thermostat while I’m at it. It’s cheap and have to drain most of it anyway to replace it. Quick question about that too. Does the thermostat housing have a gasket I need to replace? My old car didn’t but I’m not sure about this one and want to make sure I have it if I need one. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Yep, it's that time of year... the worst ads and marketing campaigns of 2009	DavidV	Off-Topic	64	12-22-2009 08:11 PM
Does # of offset matters?	Intotherain	Newbies & FAQs	18	12-17-2008 03:06 AM
I love this time of year... the changing leaves, the football, the nosebleeds	beachbum	Off-Topic	14	09-13-2005 10:55 AM
Coolant change and timing belt?	SubieFL	Service & Maintenance	3	08-22-2002 05:19 PM
I love this time of year!!!!	Bohanan	Texas Impreza Club Forum -- TXIC	3	12-25-2000 09:02 AM

03-10-2005, 10:29 AM	#2
OneOBS Scooby Specialist Member#: 63076 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caulifornia Vehicle: 2004 Outback Sport Red!	You can change coolant anytime. Yes, the thermostat requires a gasket. Its one of those flattened o-ring type things that goes around the flange of the thermostat. Hopefully, the thermostat will come from one, but if not, get one from the dealer.

03-10-2005, 12:10 PM	#3
bheinz57 Scooby Newbie Member#: 37870 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Neenah, WI	Anytime. Brian

03-10-2005, 03:34 PM	#4
TurboRoo Scooby Newbie Member#: 53299 Join Date: Jan 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: PA Vehicle: 2013 don't panic... and bring a towel!	Thanks, I just wanted to make sure.

03-11-2005, 09:08 AM	#5
ImprezaVA Scooby Specialist Member#: 32846 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Elkton, VA Vehicle: 1998 Impreza L-SOLD Arcadia Green	I always do it in the summer time when its warm outside because I always end up getting water everywhere. As for your car's preference, anytime will make the radiator happy. -Charles-

03-11-2005, 11:11 PM	#6
Mike Wevrick RIP 1/19/64 - 7/23/11 Scooby Guru Member#: 24654 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: saraseager.com Vehicle: 1957 Taggart Comet atlasshruggedpart1.com	I can't see why the season would matter, except for your comfort.

03-16-2005, 02:38 AM	#8
eltrouble Scooby Specialist Member#: 79493 Join Date: Jan 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Cerritos, CA Vehicle: 2003 WRB WRX Wagon 5 doors > 4 doors	it don't matter. i just replace it everytime my overflow tank gets a bit TOO low...