Changing the anti-freeze seemed like it'd be a trival job...until I couldn't get the thermostat housing cap off!

The car is an 88 Formula with the stock 2.8. The cap and housing both appear to be in decent shape, except for a trace amount of rust around the housing and some scratches on the cap itself. It looks like the previous owners may have has this problem as well.

I could use every suggestion you have. I'm supposed to be leaving for Wisconsin in 12 hours--hence why I'm changing the coolant in my Florida car--and I'd really like to be sure about my coolant.

Kardien

Use a small oil filter wrench or the strap thing sold a Sears.

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Those caps are usually a bi***h to get off. Check your antifreeze from the coolant over flow tank or radiator to see how good/bad it is. I used a pipe wrench to get one off once. It gave me a lot of torque to twist it off. I think you'll need to push down on it while you rotate it. Sort of like a child proof top on medicine bottles.

quote Originally posted by avengador1: Use a small oil filter wrench or the strap thing sold a Sears.

Those strap wrenches are great! I highly recommend using one to remove the thermostat cap.....if you use a pipe wrench or whatever on it you run the risk of bending or flexing the cap to where it will not seal properly when you reinstall it.

Don't forget to put in a new thermostat while you have the cap off!

When I have one that is hard to get off I use a screwdriver and put it on the part that it hanging down around the lip of the housing and tap it off with a hammer. I have yet to dammage one doing this but I do usually go and get a new one because they are only a few dollars.

The cap is cheap, the housing is expensive. Try tapping on the cap with a soft mallet a few times to jar things loose. I had the same problem and just a little tapping got it off. Whatever you do, don't damage the housing. It's expensive and hard to find (voice of experience).

quote Use a small oil filter wrench...

Ditto. Works like a charm.

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Tweaktech

I got some of those "grippy" gloves from Home Depot. Cloth, with a rubber grain in the palms. Still have to use plenty of muscle, though.
Haven't tried the oil filter wrench, though.
Sounds easier.

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Raydar

From the Department of Redundancy Department.

When you get it off, replace it. When they get that hard to remove, the gasket is usually bad.

To keep it from sticking again, spray Armorall or Son of a Gun on the gasket before reinstalling it. Makes it easier to put back on and keeps it from getting stuck.

I use the ole pipe wrench too

I have found that if I push down hard on the cap and turn at the same time does the trick. I put a light coat of vasoline on the gasket as well.

I have a big set of adjustable pliers and works too.

Thanks for the suggestions! I went to Sears looking for a strap wrench, but they were sold out. I tried a small oil filter wrench and it worked BEAUTIFULLY! The cap came off without effort.

And yes--the cap's gasket was in very poor shape.

Thanks again for the advice. I was shocked at how well the filter wrench worked.

I didn't have an oil filter wrench, so I used a pipe wrench =)