Thermostat sensor Clip Reassurance

[womad]

Hi all

Having just replaced the engine on a 1988 Watercooled T25 1.9, i took it on test run to start the running in process. Unfortunately on way back home i saw the smoke in the back window and thought oh no another engine fried. Anyway it turns out the Thermostat Sensor had fallen out and the clip was laying on the engine thus emptying all the coolant onto the ground.

Anyway the garage came out to my house and refilled and bled the system and replaced the Thermostat Sensor clip just to be on safe side. But it seems to me the clip can just be pulled off really easily so surely it could shake off again ?

Can anybody advise it is normal to just be able to pull it off meaning its not likely to fall out itself

Much obliged (my confidence is so shot i am too scared to even start it up let alone go another journey)

Keith

[VWCamperfan]

It should be ok unless there's something not quite right with the thermostat housing. Try bending the clip a little to make it tighter or putting something around the clip to make sure it stays where you put it!

[womad]

Ok Thanks Mark

But just realised i missed out the word "Sensor"

It was the Thermostat Sensor that fell out not the Thermostat itself

[kevtherev]

I think we guessed what you meant.

the clip fits in a little cut away, this is intact I hope?

[kevtherev]

you can see them clearly here

[womad]

Yes it has clicked into groove but the flat end is sticking out slightly like a little handle so it can easily be gripped and pulled off (according to vw the clip needs to retain its "squareness" so it fits properly) but very worried that engine vibration will shake it off !!!

Thanks for the pic Kev , i thought the clip ends should maybe bend more around the pipe and the old clip was flush to the unit

Having only owned the vehicle 3 weeks before engine blew and then on its first journey out i lose all the coolant you can maybe understand my anxiety