Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:54:26 -0700
Reply-To: Oxroad <oxroad@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Oxroad <oxroad@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 85 1.9 Thermostat Housing Leak
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2012042711203244@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hey Walter--
I haven't done my water pump in my 1.9L for a while and I've mostly bee
just lurking on the Vanagon Mailing List. But from memory I don't think you
can get that flange off without removing the thermostat housing. And I'm
not sure if you can remove the thermostat housing without removing the
water pump.
So I'm not answering your question, because I just don't remeber. But I did
want to share what I do remember. Unless something has changed, the 1.9L
thermostat housing is No Longer Available from VW or anywhere else I know
of. Some venders, I think, sell them used.
I found a couple of used thermostat housings and tried to remove the flange
that connects the short rubber hose to the cylinder head to replace the
gasket before I installed it in my bus with a new water pump. Trying this
on both thew used housings the bolts attaching the flange sheered off. So I
think you'll find yourself having to drill out and re-thread the thermostat
housing at a minimum. Or find a used thermostat housing with that flange
attached and trust it's a good seal.
That is unless your pinhole leak is in the short hose. But what I'm sharing
is I'm fairly sure if you try to remove that flange from the housing you're
gonna have a little work making up for the sheered bolts
Anyway, I apologize I'm not sharing the information you need and that my
knowledge isn't recent so it's foggy. But I did want to give you a heads up
about what I do remember-- it was frustrating trying to remove the flange
and breaking bolts. I ended up getting a new thermostat housing from VW I
think for about $200+ if memory serves. And It must have been about the
last new one in existence. Again that is unless someone has found a source
for "new" thermostat housings.
I hope some of that is helpful. And if it's info you already know then
sorry to chime in.
If it were me an I was in there I'f replace the water pump. For $80 or
whatever they go for, to me, it's worth not having to go back in and open
up the whole works. Sometimes in my experience the less use (only 20,000
miles in 5 years) is harder on the water pump seals than if it's used more.
Good luck.
Jeff
1983.5 Westy
LA,CA
On Fri, Apr 27, 2012 at 8:20 AM, Walter Houle <whoule@ecscontrols.com>wrote:
> My 1.9 thermostat housing recently sprang a pinhole leak. Its behind the
> flanged piece that contains the short hose connection to the cylinder
> head. I suspect corrosion is the cause. I checked my records, I replaced
> the water pump 4 1/2 years ago and approx. 20,000 miles ago. Questions:
> Can I get that connector piece off without removing the water pump? If
> not, should I replace the water pump while I'm in there or just re-install
> it with new gaskets? Any advice?
>
> Thanks,
> Walter
>
