Replacing thermostat what a nightmare!!

[leon cupra r]

I feel your pain, I did mine last week, they are a right pain to get at, even with the right tools!

 

[mill5y]

Turns out i might be the superstar i think i am! Went out at 9pm and noticed a couple of drops under car. (drive was dry)
I'v parked in a dry space at work so i'l have a look in morning....
Be getting booked into garage at weekend if its leaking no chance of me battling that again!
I'l also be letting garages do my work from now on, anyone recomend a decent place in south yorkshire?? Need to be open weekends as need car for work through week

 

[Hamzilla]

Are you sure you tightened both bolts up on the thermostat housing when replacing it?

I couldn't reach the bottom bolt after undoing the top one and the coolant leaked until I realized I hadn't tightened the top bolt enough.

Considering whether to get some extensions and try again or give it to a garage too. Did you put the flexi knuckle at the ratchet end or just before the 10mm socket?

 

[mill5y]

Just before sicket, its the only way of getting a good turn on the bolt. Im sure the bolts are tight, i went over and over thinking bound to hear a cluck soon when housing cracks!
Well i had a look under neath thus morning and was dry. So when i got home i put a piece of white plastic under car, il see if anythings leaked out onto that

 

[vroomtshh]

Reading this thread had me thinking the thermostat was gonna be the worst job ever.

Following the guide above, I had done the thermostat and coolant temp sensor in under half an hour.

Its really not a difficult job at all

 

[mill5y]

This is the thing, its not hard, little tricky getting your hands to bottom bolt.. But it's not a difficult job. I just got the one that didnt want to seat right first time!! I'v just been and checked and no signs of any puddles. Happy days
So whats next lol

 

[vroomtshh]

This is the thing, its not hard, little tricky getting your hands to bottom bolt.. But it's not a difficult job. I just got the one that didnt want to seat right first time!! I'v just been and checked and no signs of any puddles. Happy days
So whats next lol

I used a magnetic stick for the bottom bolt. Went in first time. The hardest bit I thought was keeping the rubber seal in place while pressing the housing in as this took two hands

 

[mill5y]

This is what i bought the gasket sealant for, a small bead around the face where rubber sits holds it nicely.

 

[MooRzy]

Is there anyway of checking if the thermostat is faulty without fitting it in the car ? think someone mentioned putting it in a pan of hot water and checking if it opens correctly ? im sure mine is broken

 

[LEE69]

ermmm you need to remove the stat to check it, and for the sake of £10 you might as well buy a new one.
What are your symptoms?

 

[mill5y]

ermmm you need to remove the stat to check it, and for the sake of £10 you might as well buy a new one.

Agreed!

But yea, stat in a pan of water full heat. Some you can hear click open as it jumps slightly otjers are just visual... Its arare they stick shut tho.. I'v only known then stick open which would you low temp gauge until staitionary or in traffic then upto temp then when moving back to 1/4 temp..

 

[MooRzy]

Think i have put it in wrong, read somewhere it had to be vertical ?

 

[mill5y]

Put what in wrong? Stat will only go in one way. Just make sure the direction is same as old onr!

 

[LEE69]

Elsawin does say to put the bar vertical, what that does is beyond me

 

[MooRzy]

Yeah that's what I read ? Could still be my temp sensor causing the eml light, easier to change that than the stat

 

[LEE69]

Yeah i'd change the cts