Thermostat housing #4 in 7 months

Hi Guys,

In Feb I found that the thermostat on my wifes 1.4MPi had collapsed. Got a replacement, took the old one off and found the plastic bits that hold the spring retaining clip had failed, apparently a common issue.

Pop the replacement on and think no more off it.

Week before last, started to get the same symptoms again - temp gauge not rising to centre and dropping then on a run. Popped the temperate sensor out - low and behold, it's failed again.

Put another replacement on and the car goes into the garage for MOT.

Get the car back today and there is an advisory, coolant leaking from thermostat housing. I thought it was done up OK and I reseated the hoses correctly and I had a look and nothing was obviously wrong.

Drove home and as I pull onto the drive the temp gauge shoots up and there is steam coming out from under the bonnet. Have a look at the hole in the end of housing (where the shaft of the plunger sits inside) has a steady jet of steam coming out of it.

Am I unlucky or are failures this common? It's a quick enough job to sort, and the housings are not that expensive, but it's just a PITA to have to sort it each time.

Pete