2016 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 ... New coolant/thermostat?

[dan765]

Hello all,

I have a 2016 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 with 55,000 miles on it. Just bought it a couple weeks ago.

In a couple weeks I’m gonna make a drive from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas and back with a few stops on the way, and I’m wondering if I should get some new coolant in there and a new thermostat before making the drive?

Thanks

 

[eljefino]

Hard no on the thermostat, coolant IDK your particular car and how hard it is to burp the air out.

Might be worth getting a cheap OBDII dongle and smart phone app so you can see your real, unbuffered coolant temp. If it holds steady at around the rated t-stat temp, leave well enough alone.

Afermarket stats are hot garbage. Avoid at all costs.

 

[D60]

I'd leave the t-stat. The fluid is up to you but I wouldn't if it were my vehicle

 

[Rand]

I wouldnt touch it before a trip what if you create an issue.
aftermarket thermostats are garbage. I'd probably pass on that too.

 

[dan765]

aftermarket thermostats are garbage. I'd probably pass on that too.

I’d for sure get OEM without a doubt

 

[dan765]

I wouldnt touch it before a trip what if you create an issue.

a week not enough time iyo?

 

[Patman]

Thermostats seem to be one of those items that lasts the life of the car nowadays. I can remember them going bad on cars from the 80s and 90s but I can’t say I ever hear about anyone having a thermostat go bad these days. I think it’s one of those things that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”

Definitely change the coolant if you don’t know the history. If it is still the original coolant it’s time to change it. In fact I just had the original coolant changed out in my 2016 Civic a couple of weeks ago.

 

[John105]

If there is no problem as I'm typing (is the level in range, is the temp in range), then as everyone else has said, I'd leave it.

I bought a used car in 2016 and when I got home 2 days later, there was no coolant to be seen in the reservoir nor the radiator. The temp never was high. I was worried.

Here it is almost 9 years later, and there has never been an issue.

net net there is no reason to invent problems that aren't there. The vehicle isn't thinking I've gone 55k without issues but my new owner is going on a trip, I think I'll make a problem for him in 500 miles..... my .02

 

[THORROMIG]

Just a personal preference, I like to change all fluids out on a new purchase of a used vehicle. Piece of mind to me. Change out the coolant and leave the thermostat be...

 

[Nick1994]

I wouldn’t stress about it. If you’ve got the time, go for it. I’d skip the thermostat unless you see low coolant temps, or it’s taking a long time to warm up. It only takes a few miles for the temp gauge to be at normal on mine.

I’ve learned that these like to wear the outer edges of the front tires, and the inner edge of the rears (camber) with proper alignment. So I’d suggest the front and rear at the same PSI, about 38.

Enjoy the trip, it’ll be a comfy ride.

 

[dan765]

Enjoy the trip, it’ll be a comfy ride.

definitely. This is my 2nd Genesis. Had a 2012 3.8. Same color, too

 

[D60]

Thermostats seem to be one of those items that lasts the life of the car nowadays. I can remember them going bad on cars from the 80s and 90s but I can’t say I ever hear about anyone having a thermostat go bad these days. I think it’s one of those things that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”

Definitely change the coolant if you don’t know the history. If it is still the original coolant it’s time to change it. In fact I just had the original coolant changed out in my 2016 Civic a couple of weeks ago.

You'd think so, but the t-stat in the later GM 4.3 V6 notoriously fails (just did an '11 with 99k)

Also the third gen Taco with 3.5 V6 fails sometimes as early 30 or 40k -- I just did a '17 at 82k

I just helped a friend buy a '17 JK Wrangler with 98k and the Carfax said it had had the thermostat replaced recently. Of course no way to know why and I fear a Motorad was used.

I state these examples because I would consider these modern to modern-ish vehicles and I think pre-100k miles definitely is early for a failure -- but some designs like the GM 4.3 and Toyota 3.5 seem prone.

 

[John105]

You'd think so, but the t-stat in the later GM 4.3 V6 notoriously fails (just did an '11 with 99k)

Also the third gen Taco with 3.5 V6 fails sometimes as early 30 or 40k -- I just did a '17 at 82k

I just helped a friend buy a '17 JK Wrangler with 98k and the Carfax said it had had the thermostat replaced recently. Of course no way to know why and I fear a Motorad was used.

I state these examples because I would consider these modern to modern-ish vehicles and I think pre-100k miles definitely is early for a failure -- but some designs like the GM 4.3 and Toyota 3.5 seem prone.

I think the point is OP is going on a trip. There is no reason to believe that because a trip is coming up, the vehicle is plotting to fail on said trip. If the level were wrong, the temp were incorrect, there’s leaking, vehicle never warms up, then by all means troubleshoot.

We all like to replace things whether needed or not. I remember my friends mom telling us in college. First thing you do when you get into your new apartment, is you replace the toilet seat.