easy way to fix thermostate

[nostalgic]

Ok someone has to do it.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS everyone. Right then does any one know a way of replacing the thermostate on a 1988 Transporter 112 (camper ) ewithout the need to drain it all and bleed it . Ive just had it drained flushed and antifreeze replaced at a garage so cost a bit to have done, so not realy keen on spending another £200 on the same job any advice gratefull for thanks nostalgic.

[ninja.turtle007]

I have just changed mine but it is on a TDI. My drive is really steep so I parked the van with its bum in the air. I lost about 3 or 4 litres of coolant and didn't need to bleed the radiator.

Alternatively pull the hose of below the radiator and collect it in a big flex plastic bucket. You'll have to bleed the system but you'll be able to reuse the coolant.

[ghost123uk]

As Tom says, just collect it in washing up bowl or similar, you will get some comes out, but not gallons. You WILL have to bleed it afterwards, takes about 20 minutes, details in the wiki. Take care with the screws on the (plastic) housing, both them and the housing are easily damaged. (assuming WBX Petrol)

Ive just had it drained flushed and antifreeze replaced at a garage... not realy keen on spending another £200

£200

[nostalgic]

Thanks guys ill give it a go. My engines a 2.1dj i shouldnt think there would be much difference tho.
Famous last words. It will be good to get out and meet everyone and to just enjoy the van, without all the little probs. Still at least its happening now an not in one of our hot summers we keep getting.

[huggy76]

Mines a different engine to yours but in the past i've used brake pipe clamps to clamp off the 2 main feed and return hoses for the rad.

This way you only drain whats in the engine and not what's in the long pipework and radiator.

[jrt]

I agree with the above, rear n/s jacked up, took my pipes off and clamped the ends and suspended them with string from above. Lost a minimal amount of coolant in a bucket underneath. Refilled, topped up antifreeze and bled through.
David

[nostalgic]

Thank's guy's im starting to feel more cnfident about it now. I reckon i should be able to tackle it soon.
Its a hole lot different from a Morris minor.

[Ian Hulley]

To just swap the thermostat itself ... cold engine with a*** in the air, top of the housing off, stat out (noting which way up it is and refitting the seal), new one in, replace lid, open the bleed valve in the top and watch the bubbles go round the bleed ring to the header tank. switch off, close the bleed valve, allow to cool, top the header tank right up (you'll only lose a tiny amount ... perhaps 1/4 of a pint) and recheck after a day of running.

Ian

[nostalgic]

Thanks all.
Does it matter how high the back end is up, if i back it up on my drive the back will be about a foot higher than the front is that enough. Thanks nostalgic.

[Ian Hulley]

Thanks all.
Does it matter how high the back end is up, if i back it up on my drive the back will be about a foot higher than the front is that enough. Thanks nostalgic.

That'll be fine, it's just to make sure the t/stat housing really is the highest point in the system. Common sense really

Ian

[billy739]

be carefull undoing the 4 m6 bolts , they can seize and break the housing.

you should only need to undo the 4 bolts (10mm spanner) no need to remove pipes ect.

interesting you think you now have a stat problem , either it is a stat , the garage presumably would tell you / fix this? or the garage havent bleed it properly.


was it ok before changing the antifreeze.

these are easy to bleed and stats rarely fail , but the bleed system does block up , so they cant be bleed properly - this is only ever found when you drain the coolant , can work fine for years undisturbed.

also advise is to buy a stat from brickwerks or vw , not gsf or similar

[nostalgic]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I think i might need to look into this a bit more before starting the job, ive got a state from vw so thats a good start.