12 replies to this topic

[Nathan86Mayfair]

I'm struggling with a thermostat change. For a start I can't drain the coolant because the screw on the retaining clip for the bottom hose is rusty as hell and won't budge. I don't think the radiators been flushed for a long time as its brown. Tried WD40 on the screw and a lot of swearing to no avail.

The bolts for the thermostat housing are jammed tight, tried WD40 and tapping with a rubber mallet but again it won't budge. Any tips would be great thanks

[KernowCooper]

Plus gas and let it soak, if you have a gas blow torch heat the alloy housing before soaking it with plus gas and the alloy will expand,and tap it, if not soak with plus gas and leave it do its job.

[cal844]

Plus gas and let it soak, if you have a gas blow torch heat the alloy housing before soaking it with plus gas and the alloy will expand,and tap it, if not soak with plus gas and leave it do its job.

+1 :) hope you get it fixed

[dyshipfakta]

The clips usually have hex heads you can get a socket on and undo. You may end up breaking them so I would have some to replace them handy.

[Nathan86Mayfair]

Cheers guys, il pop down Halfords and get some Plusgas, hopefully il prize it free and il replace the clips as these are probably 20odd years old. Thanks again

[Spider]

 and a lot of swearing to no avail.
 

 

There are select words that work better than others.

[Nathan86Mayfair]

Trust me MokeSpider, I tried them all!

[carbon]

Nathan,

 

Word of caution with the A+ thermostat housing bolts.

 

If they are very difficult to move then chances are the bolt threads are rusted into the head. The bolts are not very strong, and if you twist them too hard they have a nasty habit of shearing off. Normally flush with the surface of the head.

 

Then you have a much larger job on your hands, as getting the remains of the bolt out of the head is not trivial.

[carbon]

Did you manage to get the thermostat bolts out intact?

[Nathan86Mayfair]

I've been away all week, but I worked on the car today. Still can't get the bottom radiator clip off. Tried pliers, sockets, screwdrivers, tried snips but couldn't get an angle on it. Therefore I haven't even tried the thermostat bolts yet

[Steve220]

You can get at it with a hacksaw blade

[L400RAS]

Disconnect the hose at the water pump and lift the rad + bottom hose out as one. 

Edited by L400RAS, 18 April 2015 - 03:57 PM.

[Nathan86Mayfair]

Cheers guys. Just been searching these forums and the Haynes manual for the last hour and il try the hacksaw blade first. If not il remove the radiator.