How to change the coolant thermostat guide?

[OSB]

As above - I want to change the coolant thermostat, engine temp is too low - is there a 'How to guide' somewhere?
I have had a search here and couldn't find one. Might have missed it though.
Looked on Youtube but it did not seem to match my car and neither does Haynes!

Its a 55 plate GTI with DSG

Thanks out there.

[bacillus]

I have to advise you that it'll take 3-4 hours to do and having a lift will be helpful for access.

[doylebros]

This may help - Not for those in a hurry - it's  on an Audi - as good as the same job.


Check out this video on YouTube:

[OSB]

I have to advise you that it'll take 3-4 hours to do and having a lift will be helpful for access.

Gawd! Really?! 3-4 hrs .........
I'm having trouble playing the youtube clip as suggested (internet probs) - I have decent ramps  - will these provide suitable clearance or do I
have to A) leave it running 5 - 10 deg low or B) find an indy who can do it at reasonable cost????
I changed the sender a few weeks ago. It now reads more accurately but still too low.

[Scottymon]

Great video, does look a bit of a faff to do, with restricted access, but given you allow yourself enough time it's all quite straightforward if you have the right tools.

Is the book time 4 hours on that?  I know it would probably take me that easy, lol, but the video is only 15 mins long and everything is off, so 1 hour max for a tech working that fast seems reasonable.

[doylebros]

If you read about they prefer to remove the inlet manifold and injectors - allows the advantage of manifold and items to be de-gunked of contaminants,although requires the purchase of inlet manifold gasket!

Couldn't see me doing it either way quickly, would be happy if I completed it in three hours.

[OSB]

Thanks for the input guys.
Right then. I'm going to get the car up and have a look tomorrow morning - if it looks tooooo long and tricky I'll do the pre cat delete I've been meaning to do for a while ! 

[doylebros]

The video is well worth a watch if you doing it outside in the cold!

[stuupnorth]

hi mate
I had the same problem bought the thermostat housing and thought
I would have a go myself had a look and the call the dealer(yeah I know)
they charged me £100 I think as I already had the parts
saved me a lot of hassle
stu

[OSB]

Well had a look at the video, made a start and thought 'there is a lot to take off here and I can't easily get to it and the alternator bolt is stuck and what the heck is a 3 square socket?!' Put the bits back and am going to call my local indy.
As Stu says - will save a lot of hassle........
 

[callis]

I changed my thermostat and took a few hours, main thing is having to remove the Alt and aux belt after that piece of cake.

:)

[OSB]

So... for reasons too long and boring to go into, I got my local dealer change the thermostat last week.
Fortunately, due to a mix up on their part I only got charged 11/2 hrs labour instead of the normal 3 hrs. Thanks to them for honouring the original verbal quote!
And what a difference, Car now gets to normal temperature quicker (it never got to 90deg before - only about 80deg).
But more noticeable is the increase in performance. a lot more get up and go, especially low to midrange. A feeling of more grunt throughout.
I think its now going like a GTI ought to!
Fuel consumption seems to have improved as well. Too early to give an accurate figure, but it seems to be in the region of 2 - 3mpg.

I read on another thread about lack of 'go' when warming up and the suggestion that performance is 'restricted' until the engine is fully warm.
If that is the case, this would bear it out.

From my experience - if your engine is not running at 90 deg - bite the bullet and get the 'stat changed.