If you have re-filled the coolant and checked for leaks no wait time is necessary
Disconnect the battery and drain the coolant.
What should you do before driving
Ideally, a thermostat should be changed before it fails or begins to fail. Personally I would change it every five or six years or so, with normal driving.
Yes, replacing the heater core should slove the problem.
If the car is overheating or if the temperature gauge is not coming up to normal operating temperature which is normally half way up the gauge then the thermostat needs replacing. As the water pump should be replaced at the same time as the cam belt every 90,000 miles, you should also replace the thermostat and coolant.If the car is overheating or if the temperature gauge is not coming up to normal operating temperature which is normally half way up the gauge then the thermostat needs replacing. As the water pump should be replaced at the same time as the cam belt every 90,000 miles, you should also replace the thermostat and coolant.
If your doing a lot of city driving you should get it fixed... the thermostat tells the cars computer when to turn on the fan which provides more the 50% of your engine's cooling in city driving!
Yes, but the good news is that you don't have to drain it all. Don't just let it pour out on the ground. Draining about a gallon should lower the level enough to replace the thermostat.
As far as I know, it should have a gasket. Make sure to use gasket sealer as well when replacing it.
Answershould you ban drinking and drivingNo, you should the drink down before driving.
False (no)
Check coolant level right away, make sure its full. Try replacing the thermostat, rating should be at least 195 degree.If driving in very cold area, you may want to partially dam off the front grill
that depends on the thermostat. but the book calls for 190 degrees. your gage should be + or - 10