Hi all. I'm ashamed to admit this, but this my first coolant change since doing this swap. I mention that as installing the thermostat on the ABA engine is slightly tricky and I obviously haven't done it many times. Twice really. Regardless, the Calorstat thermostat I bought seemed to make the job harder. Has anyone had issues with QC or design on Calorstat thermostats? Vendor said this part fit several other vehicles. e.g. Volvo. It c/w several different gaskets. In no way could I get the coolant elbow, thermostat, and O ring gasket installed without seeing a very slight leak. There was no leak prior. (e.g. coolant elbow wasn't deformed by heat). Just adding 2 litres of coolant mix would cause a leak at elbow to coolant pump. I swapped out the elbow but I think re-installing the old thermostat did the trick. No leaks so far. I measured the old thermostat against new. Very little difference in what I measured. But. The raised edge that meets with the O ring is different. Image: Raised part on edge of old thermostat is narrower. Positioning the elbow, O ring, thermostat "dry" on bench, the raised edge on the Calorstat part felt like it was causing the O ring to slip during install and torquing of fasteners. At least that's my theory and I'm sticking to it. ;) lol. And apparently, I have too much time on my hands. Again, lol. Neil.
-- Neil n Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay> |
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