Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2005 06:30:31 EDT
Reply-To: RAlanen@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: NEED HELP W/ THERMOSTAT HOUSING
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 05/10/2005 8:38:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
Dear List members,
It appears that the Thermostat housing is leaking where it attaches to the
block/head on m '88 Vanagon 2.1 w/4 speed.
The bolts that hold it on appear to be quite rusty and I'm hesitant that I
might break them off as they are probably original.
I want to replace the housing, thermostat, o-rings and any hoses that are
attached to it.
Any hints or help you can give me about removal and replacement would be
greatly appreciated.
John, it is quite likely the plastic housing is cracked and you will need to
replace that part. To get the rusted bolts out is matter of great
difficulty. Try heating wit a propane torch. Try giving them a sharp smack with an
appropriate size punch and large weighty hammer. Then try inserting a good
hex bit on a good solid driver, not a ratchet ! If the hex socket will not
engage use a hand operated impact tool with a large straight bit and smack it
hard so that the bit will indent into the head of the bolt and that should get
it turning. At any rate you will have to replace the plastic housing so do
not worry about damaging it. Once the housing has been removed run a tap in
the threaded holes to clean then use new stainless steel hex bolts with
anti-seize when installing the new housing. Don't forget to get a new O-ring for
the housing to head connection. Part numbers and prices are on my _Vanagon
Items Forsale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/sales.htm) webpage however you
may be able to find what you need locally without ordering from CANADA ! Good
luck and enjoy this little project.
Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm) 1
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 08 ~ 11, 2006
Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm) 1
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 08 ~ 11, 2006
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