Thought I'd have a look at my brakes today as been having a bit of a grumble when been parked up for a day (had Percy 18 months & not touched his brakes). Lifted back end up, came apart very easily, wheel off, drum off (too easy I thought disaster is going to strike soon), checked shoes & drums all ok, cleaned up replaced no problems.

Moved to the front, again lifted up wheel off, checked, cleaned all ok, no replacements needed (I'd already borrowed a full set of front & rears from work assuming I'd need them).

Thought 'going great here lets change the stat', I've got the 1.3 MPI beast so its the replacement housing kit from Jorily.

Unbolted old one, remove pipes, fitted new one, refitted pipes, took temp sensor out, filled with anti-freeze, check strength with hydrometer (yes I was amazed I could find it too) great easy all ok.

Ran engine for a while, going great so took him for a spin round the village. Pulled out onto main road & noticed him chugging badly & plumes of steam/smoke from the rear (passing a police car in petrol station), thinks oh cr@p & turns back into my road, notice no temp reading. Stop, leap out & pop bonnett to plumes of steam & temp sensor hanging loose.

Much to the amusement of the two policemen who had done a U turn to follow me, I admitted I missed the hole where the clip goes to hold the sensor in.

Walked home, fetched water & refilled. Everything seems fine, apart form my pride. Both cops come into work (I work at a garage/parts shop).

Moral of the story - take your time, if you go too fast even fitting a clip (I rushed it as it was getting dark) you will get the police stopping you even if it is only to laugh at you! :(

I will be replacing the stat housing on my mpi soon, so I will take my time !

Out of interest, did it make much differnce to your car? Idling/running smoother? Better mpg?

I changed the stat as it was taking too long to open & getting hotter than it should. I tried to get a stat through work but no one we deal with listed one for the MPI engine & local Skoda dealer wanted £50 + vat. I spoke to Jorily & he said the original Skoda stat is held into the housing with plastic clips & they do a modified one where its held with a circlip so in future you can change the stat only.

It does seem to idle nicer & certainly runs more 'normal' but didn't do too much running around as it was dark & I wanted food.

I'll find out better in the next few days & let you know.

Yep, that's the stat I have ordered, should be easier to change the stat again if needed. Plastic housing, what's that all about?

Keep us updated, I would be interested as I think that my stat is stuck open and maybe giving all sorts of issues with the car. Lumpy idle, really bad when just started. Noisy engine too, because it never gets up to a proper working temp.

Edited 7 February, 201016 yr by myjalopy