GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: soin on 03 March 2012, 20:11
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hi all , spent all day today working on my 2000 gti 1.8t , firstly i changed the discs and pads , a first time for me but relatively simples . Next the thermostat , now i tried with various flexi drives and wobbly head ratchets but i could not get anything over that bottom bolt so i removed the alternator which gives plenty of room and only takes 10 mins . I bought a cheap stat from a motor factors for £6 odd but it looked identical to the one in there , however the rubber o ring supplied was smaller by far in circumference and there were a selection of gaskets in the box too ??? I decided to retain the original o ring seal as it cleaned up like new and not to use a gasket as there wasnt one on previousley.
All back together and refilled the g12 , straight up to 90 degrees within mins ..perfect , start driving home and temperature alert comes on the dash , checked under the car and im leaking coolant . Topped up and got home , stripped it all back down and refitted the O ring and housing , built it back up drove round the block and its still leaking :angry:. Gonna go at it again in the morning as i can pull the alternator and remove the housing in under 15 mins now ....
just wanna check if im going wrong somewhere ???
how tight should i cinch the housing bolts ?? i think i may be over-tightening them
if i were to use some grease to secure the o ring seal , what type ??
can an O ring seal be re used??
i built back up exactly as i stripped down , stat brace vertical , stat first then O ring ..
unsure as to why im not getting a water tight seal
any advice welcomed
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You may have cracked the housing when over tightened so a new one will be in order.......
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hmmm i didnt think of that, i'll check for cracks tomorrow when i strip down.......again :angry:
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Can't believe that you have to take the alternator off every time thou :undecided:
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check the thermostat is in the correct way. If not it will deffo leak. :kiss:
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i cant believe people are getting at the bottom bolt without removing it (alt ) , i tried for about ten minutes with allen keys , small spanner , flexable drive shaft . .. god it beats me
the thermostat went in visually identical to the one that came out , it fills the inlet perfectly , then the rubber seal and the place the housing in place , i guess maybe im knocking the seal out of place or overtightening , gonna try some grease tomorrow .. would vaseline work ?? :rolleyes:
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you can get to the bottom one using a universal joint, thats how I did it.
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come to think of it, I had the seal on in the wrong order if you get me, thats why mine leaked.
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yeah i guess that would cause issues , so you used a universal joint with a 10mm socket on the end ??
how tight were you torquing the bolts
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u sure the bottom bolt is tight thats what i had probs with :smiley:
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yep both bolts i did up as tight as i could , with alternator out the way im getting good leverage too , so woud say both bolts are defo tightened well
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Any update on the out come of this topic. Exact same problem here. Im getting quicker at removing and refitting the thermostat now after 4 goes, I can do it in a hour now but still pissing out when up to temp??? Pulling my hair out now. Everything seems to fit fine. Going out for one last go now else it will be a train ride to work today :cry:
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Might sound stupid, I did mine about 2 weeks ago took me ages to get the bottom bolt but i did it, ensure the thero is in SPRING end first and then the O ring, Put the O ring in the housing, it should slip into the ridge left in the housing (will make sence when you look at it, I took my housing off) then if you still having a leaking issue I would personally go to VW and get a main dealer part thats what I did Yes it cost me over £35 when I can buy them for £11 for a cheaper part but like the guy at VW said the cheap ones always break and never outlast the VW part also he told me 3rd party parts are prone for leaks.
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You dont need to remove the alternator to get to the bolts they are a bit of a pain but you can get on them think i used a wobbly end extention ( its been a long time since i did mine )
If your getting leaks things to check / do
Make sure when you take the housing off clean the surfaces on it and the engine and bits of rust etc can cause a leak need to be 100% clean
Fit a new o ring
Cant remember if it has a gasket but if it does fit a new one
Obv fit the stat the correct way round
If you have done all that and you still have a leak you must have a different issue. If i remember correctly the housing is plastic its possible you have cracked it by over tightening the bolts they dont need to be crazy tight.
If you still having trouble check where the leak is comming from you will probably be able to see water marks if wet or you might see likw a white ish staining that will give you a clue
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The O ring sits in the plastic housing. I you have broke it hears a cheap one on ebay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK4-TURBO-MK4-GTI-THERMOSTAT-COVER-KIT-C202-/190644528146?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c634ca412
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You guys are STARS!!! I took the thermostat off again tonight and re fit it with the O-ring on the housing side of the thermostat instead of behind it (on the spring side). Built it up and Hey Presto, NO LEAKS. :embarassed: :huh: :shocked: :smug: :rolleyes: :smiley: :grin:
When I removed the original thermo, I remember the O-ring was defo on the spring side and thats why I rebuilt the new one on the inside but obviously that wasnt the case. Thanks guys.
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come to think of it, I had the seal on in the wrong order if you get me, thats why mine leaked.
i did eactly the same and los a full tub of noce new g12 :( gasket has to go in the right way i found out the hard way :s lol and can def get the bolt without removin the alternator i did mine 10 minutes start to finish (the third time ) :( haha
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Glad you sorted it :)