ok 

 

a common issue on these boards. My 99 1.3 model failed recently so went to GSF car parts and they only had a top section replacement e.g. the top ('cold') part of the housing  with a new thermostat installed. has anyone used this successfully.  i note it doesnt come with a gasket or gasket sealant. They expect you to use the same screws to connect to the old part of the plastic  plastic housing which seems a bit dodgy when these old parts are 13 or so years old now. 

 

has anyone used this successfully ? 

Edited 30 October, 201312 yr by iggypop37

I have used a number of these - they should come with the rubber sealing ring built in. I purchased one off of ebay it was rubbish - leaked from the start - purchased three (for different felicias) from my local motor factor PDM in Kempston and all three have been perfect. You do reuse the old screws - be careful not to over tighten or the thread will go. Gasket and sealant are not required as the rubber sealing ring does the sealing. I will try tomorrow to see which make and part number the local factor uses.

didnt have the sealing ring built in - had it loose.

 

ref over-tightening - think its too late :(

 

will probably need to get the full kit and caboodle from VW now. 

 

shouldnt try and finish jobs by torchlight - esp. unfamiliar jobs 

Edited 30 October, 201312 yr by iggypop37

suppose i could try and fit a longer screw and see if i can get a nut/washer on the other end. the bugger was leaking bigtime 

Edited 30 October, 201312 yr by iggypop37

ok . just for future reference if anyone is browsing. my feeling is that with these 'half a thermostat unit' jobbies, the way i would do it again would be to disconnect every thing, remove the old screws and thus break open the unit carefully and remove the top half of the thermostat casing .  then remove the 2 nuts on the head and lift off the other half from the head. then on the kitchen table or wherever 'mate' the new 'cold' half of the thermostat with the old 'warm' half making sure everything is lined up. reinsert screws being very careful as graphite 58 says not to overtighten and strip the threads.  

 

then reattach  to the head being careful to fix to the head first then connect the various pipes and cables etc. then continue to fill car with coolant and test as normal.

 

i just think it's too hard trying to  fix the thermostat unit in the car. asking for trouble . 

 

any comments?  

Edited 1 November, 201312 yr by iggypop37

I've done it in situ without any problems. We have several Felicias in the family and I transferred a used "half" thermostat from one 1.3 to another and then later fitted a cheap one from ebay to the car I had cannibalised which had been left with an empty cover. 

 

I can only think the problems are with how tight you are trying to put self tappers into the plastic. The secret is you can always tighten a bit more if there's a leak, but you can't undo over-tightening.

 

Maybe I was just lucky..but it can be done.

I have the same common issue.I just split the thermostat housing to investigate the lack of movement on the Temp guage ,and there's my thermostat in bits.My worry is not so much putting a new one together , But More , SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT THE MISSING PLASTIC PARTS!? I think they are drawn into the block, so is there any likelihood, that they'll end up working their way into the water pump and knackering it?

I've had a quick look at the water pump. I was contemplating removing it, to have a look , but i see it involves an automatic belt tensioner and engine mount, so I'll look for advice here first...

Cheers for reading my first post ( and responding hopefully)

Rob