Hello friends Skodans! (I am in Chile... yes: South America)

I am new as of today. Being a mechanical engineer with years of engine design in USA, unbelievably, I can´t get around to change the thermostat in my Octavia Elegance 2011 8.1 TSI engine. Problem is that the area is full of hoses that impede using any wrench, there is no space. And on top of all the hose clamps are put in a way that makes it almost impossible to use pliers because the “ears” are in the wrong angle, only accessible if the engine is out of the car!!

If anybody has any advice, it would be most welcome.

Thanks

You need a cable operated ratcheting hose clamp, like this;

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Qbace-Cable-type-Flexible-Clamp-Pliers/dp/B00VR5SEJQ/ref=sr_1_40?ie=UTF8&qid=1470040275&sr=8-40&keywords=hose+clamp+cable

 

 

The thermostat is fitted directly to the water pump housing. I had my intake manifold off at the time I replaced my waterpump, but if you just need to change your thermostat then you may be able to get to it without disturbing too much. You'll almost certainly need to remove the air intake hose where it enters the throttle body and then may be able to work from underneath. I'd suggest you look up several EA888 TSI water pump change videos & image walkthroughs first to get familiar with the components in the area and plan your attack in advance, as due to the limited space you may need to do some of the work by 'feel'. (e.g. http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75491)