Club 80-90 Forums

Does anyone have any hints or tips about refitting a thermostat housing. The guy doing my engine is having a nightmare as it keeps leaking. He has not got vw experience so thought i would see if anyone can give me any ideas to pass on or is it best to try and get a replacement? Grateful for any ideas. Thanks

which housing...the metal one near the numberplate, or the plastic one near the passenger seat. the metal one is obselete. The plastic one has an o ring in it may need repacing.

Where is it leaking from?

Em
xx

Thanks Ernie for the reply . Its the metal one on the left hand side near the numberplate that is causing the problem. He connects it up to two pipes but when tested there is a constant drip from underneath. He has tried numerous new seals and put at least one new securing bolt in it but it is still dripping. He said the previous owner had bypassed the thermostat to disguise an overheating issue. I have no idea if this can be done or not. Am i best trying to get hold of a second hand one if they are obselete.

They are obsolete and secondhand are rare
May it could be fixed by some careful cleaning or machining of surfaces it will likely be quite corroded by now
Really need to get some pics up of exactly where its leaking

Right....are you absolutely sure its the thermostat housing. Underneath is the waterpump - and that can leak when its on the way out. Water pumps readily available.

Bypassing the thermostat not a good idea!!

Can we have some pictures of the parts and the leak....the good folk on here will be able to help more.

Em
xx

Thanks to all, The mechanic showed me the part with the new thermostat inside and explained that it was awkward to get it fitted on both pipes and that the small rubber seal ring he put inside to meet with the pipe kept slipping. As the van is in his garage i wont be able to get pics until i visit on Wednesday. The water pump was renewed recently so i dont think that is the problem. I will post pics on Wednesday unless of course he manages to sort it out and then (after jumping for joy) i will update this page. Its great to be able to tap into the knowledge folks on here have i am very grateful thanks

Why was it in the garage in the first place? Did it go in for this leak?

Bettys story. Bought her last september from scunthorpe drove her to Glasgow used her 3 weeks then she started overheating. Got radiator, waterpump and radiator switch replaced 500 still overheating. By this time i was skint so sorned her till early may. After surviving the winter on beans n toast and stripping her out to redo the interior i bought a remanufactured engine. Found an old school mechanic (without vw specific experience) who volunteered to do swap. She went into garage around 16th May and that brings us to today lol. I am getting a tad impatient to get her back on the road and hopefully drive without any other major issues for the summer. I must say there was quite a delay getting the engine sent up to Glasgow and when it arrived he had to re thread for exhaust studs/bolts which wasnt ideal. The company said they had done it and it was his fault so who knows. I am not quite ready to give up on her but she is testing me lol
Nothing worth having comes easy!!!



This is the offending little beastie. (image from haynes manual).

hiya....on that picture can you put an arrow or circle to indicate where its leaking from.


and yes...they do bloody test you!!

xx

Hi Ernie, I think the leak is coming from near the left hand side (of the picture) under the black pipe. I cant be positive of this yet as ive not seen the leak just the puddle underneath. It has just been what the mechanic has described so far. I will be popping in on wednesday so will try and get a pic of exactly where its coming from. (unless of course he has solved it)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vw-t25-1-9-pe ... 417439568b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Kev and 6 days to go i will know whats happening by then. Very grateful

If i remember correctly the black hose is fixed with a steel flange which may have rusted through
Ask the mechanic if he has taken this flange off and inspected it

Ebay thermostat and pump may well have been taken off whole and not seperated bolts could be siezed not saying dont buy it but be ready for work in getting it usable

Wee update. The pipe coming from the water pump is corroded also (and i believe obsolete). Thanks itchyfeet i will ask the seller if this is the case re siezed bolts. Is it possible to fit it as a complete unit rather than seperate it given that it is advertised as in working order. (or is that a stupid question). I do not believe the mechanic is keen on doing any more work than is needed to get rid of my van from his unit. I have been left to try and source the parts required or "He cant fix it". Feeling just a tad like drowning myself in a bottle of Malt lol. Cheers for your help everyone

If your mechanic can't cope with a few tight bolts then he's in the wrong job.

Brickwerks sell water pumps for early and late cooling systems

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/t ... early.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and the gasket that goes between thermostat and pump

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/g ... early.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and the rubber seal that goes on the metal pipe that pushes into the thermostat

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/o ... 3-wbx.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;