Thermostat
Stephen
Can anyone offer any advice or points to guides for changing the thermostat.
I had been getting a temperature reading of 80, so I changed the coolant
temp sensor first as its cheap cheerful and easy and q common failure. That
did not cure it so next port of call is the thermostat I was told, but no
idea where there is ? or how to change it ?
Also mentioned was the coolant expansion tank sensor might be at fault which
would require full draining of the g12 coolant and then change the whole
tank and then refill ?
Any ideas or point to guide or advice :)
Happy new year all :) *thumbs up*
Chris Bartram
> mk4 golf 1.6 SE 8v AEH engine
>
> Can anyone offer any advice or points to guides for changing the thermostat.
>
> I had been getting a temperature reading of 80, so I changed the coolant
> temp sensor first as its cheap cheerful and easy and q common failure. That
> did not cure it so next port of call is the thermostat I was told, but no
> idea where there is ? or how to change it ?
>
Sorry, no, but try www.uk-mkivs.net. Someone there will know.
> Also mentioned was the coolant expansion tank sensor might be at fault which
> would require full draining of the g12 coolant and then change the whole
> tank and then refill ?
>
IIRC that sensor is only to check the level in the tank- you get a
dashboard warning if it plays up.
Terence
"Chris Bartram" <ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote in message
news:TZD%m.21082$Ym4....@text.news.virginmedia.com...
there. I have a nasty suspicion that the thermostat housing is situated
behind the timing belt, near the water pump. If this is so, the chances of a
successful "seat of the pants" approach, without the book (DVD) of words is
virtually zero.
Stephen
"Chris Bartram" <ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote in message
news:TZD%m.21082$Ym4....@text.news.virginmedia.com...
>> mk4 golf 1.6 SE 8v AEH engine
>>
>> Can anyone offer any advice or points to guides for changing the
>> thermostat.
>>
>> I had been getting a temperature reading of 80, so I changed the coolant
>> temp sensor first as its cheap cheerful and easy and q common failure.
>> That did not cure it so next port of call is the thermostat I was told,
>> but no idea where there is ? or how to change it ?
>>
>
> Sorry, no, but try www.uk-mkivs.net. Someone there will know.
I'll ask over there Chris. What do you reckon it could be. I suspected the
waterpump but the cambelt and waterpump was just done at the local vw
specialist. I wonder if it could be an air lock ...
>> Also mentioned was the coolant expansion tank sensor might be at fault
>> which would require full draining of the g12 coolant and then change the
>> whole tank and then refill ?
>>
>
> IIRC that sensor is only to check the level in the tank- you get a
> dashboard warning if it plays up.
I wish I never said it now, as the first time ever I got a thermometer
symbol up this morning and a beep!! Soddin jixed myself. So I guess the tank
sensor is goose and needs changing along with draining the fluid. I may
aswell drain the fluid change the thermostat and do the expansion tank while
the system is empty and "burp" the system and hope for warm air :). I was
told that I should leave the cap off the coolant tank after refilling it
starting the car with the heater on full heat and wait till it gets to temp
and then switch off and put the cap on to make sure there are no air locks
... is this correct ?
Chris Bartram
> I wish I never said it now, as the first time ever I got a thermometer
> symbol up this morning and a beep!! Soddin jixed myself. So I guess the tank
> sensor is goose and needs changing along with draining the fluid.
I've been told that a scrape of the sensor with a screwdriver might
bring it back to life for a while- they often play up in cold weather.
> I may
> aswell drain the fluid change the thermostat and do the expansion tank while
> the system is empty and "burp" the system and hope for warm air :). I was
> told that I should leave the cap off the coolant tank after refilling it
> starting the car with the heater on full heat and wait till it gets to temp
> and then switch off and put the cap on to make sure there are no air locks
> ... is this correct ?
>
Yep, that should do it. Make sure you use the correct coolant. You
shouldn't need to set the heater, as unlike older cars, there's no water
valve to control flow to the heater matrix, but it can't hurt to have
the heater on.
Incidentally, the other poster's reccomendation of Elsawin is a good
one- have a look at www.vagcat.com for an online version. That suggests
the thermostat is not at the timing belt end, but the gearbox end, which
is what I'd have expected:
http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/vw/GOLF/1999/203/49/2431260/
(you may need to register to see that).
Stephen
"Terence" <tre...@xian.co.su> wrote in message
news:sc-dnSq9JaBY_qLW...@brightview.co.uk...
I had a bit of a poke about while topping stuff up today. I found the 'stat
which on the 1.6 T reg AEH engine is located to the right of the alternator
(very auckward looking), engine cover off job, the housing it what concerns
me the top bolt looks accessible easily, but the bottom one looks a
nightmare! I think it may be reachable with a knuckle joint, it really does
look a bit tight in there for space, and hopefully won't have to take the
alternator out which I will avoid at all costs :) ... will also be sure to
disconnect the battery being so close to the alternator makes me think twice
;)
But on the surface of it I think it looks doable..
Stephen
> Stephen wrote:
>
>> I wish I never said it now, as the first time ever I got a thermometer
>> symbol up this morning and a beep!! Soddin jixed myself. So I guess the
>> tank sensor is goose and needs changing along with draining the fluid.
>
>
> I've been told that a scrape of the sensor with a screwdriver might bring
> it back to life for a while- they often play up in cold weather.
No fault today, but will do this for good measure till I get the delivery
for the new bottle.
>> I may aswell drain the fluid change the thermostat and do the expansion
>> tank while the system is empty and "burp" the system and hope for warm
>> air :). I was told that I should leave the cap off the coolant tank after
>> refilling it starting the car with the heater on full heat and wait till
>> it gets to temp and then switch off and put the cap on to make sure there
>> are no air locks ... is this correct ?
>>
> Yep, that should do it. Make sure you use the correct coolant. You
> shouldn't need to set the heater, as unlike older cars, there's no water
> valve to control flow to the heater matrix, but it can't hurt to have the
> heater on.
Got a few bottles of g12 handy and with gsf not far I can always pop out for
some more.
> Incidentally, the other poster's reccomendation of Elsawin is a good one-
> have a look at www.vagcat.com for an online version. That suggests the
> thermostat is not at the timing belt end, but the gearbox end, which is
> what I'd have expected:
>
> http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/vw/GOLF/1999/203/49/2431260/
>
>
> (you may need to register to see that).
Thanks for that link very helpful.
Funny enough on my 1.6 16v AZD engine 2001 ... The 'stat is easily
accessible on the right hand side of the engine, tons of space to work and
replace should it ever need doing. But on my wifes 1.6 8v 1999 aeh its
hidden down just right of the alternator, they couldn't have made it more
auckward. I had a bit of a hunt around for it today and to weigh up shall I
do this or pass it to the garage, but I'll be a gluten for punishment and
give it a go :) ... Its looks staright forward. From what I can see engine
cover off, disconnect battery, undo top bolt looks about 10mm, the lower one
looks tricky as theres little access but possibly do-able with a knockle
joint and a 3/8 inch on a extension bar .. time will tell on that one I
guess .... remove the pipe that fits on the housing, might replace those
tedious vw clips with a jubilee or some such, pull housing off, note
position of old sensor, pull it our with o ring with left hand and quickly
plug new one in as the old one was, put the o ring on on the flange on the
housing ;) ... bolt back up, will use a magnetic pickup tool for the lower
bolt to help if I can or put some card down if I drop it! .. connect rad
pipe back onto housing, make sure clip is tightened up. Top up lost coolant
top max line, run car with coolant lid off and watch level possibly drop a
bit and top up as nescessary ... whilst checking for leaks around the
housing of the stat. Job done ?
opefully thats all there is to it, but it never works out like that. I've
never touched a thermostat before so this should be interesting. On the face
of it it does look straightforward, just that lower bolt looks like it could
be a real ball ache outside in the cold trying to get at it. But the knuckle
joint I pray will fit in there.
I almost touch wood wish it as my one knackered as I could be done in 20-30
mins, her car looks a tad more invovled.
Chris Bartram
> I've
> never touched a thermostat before so this should be interesting. On the face
> of it it does look straightforward, just that lower bolt looks like it could
> be a real ball ache outside in the cold trying to get at it. But the knuckle
> joint I pray will fit in there.
The last one I did was on a Mk1 Golf C. It was easy, but access was good.