How To: Replace the thermostat

[52GTIPETE]

A code does come up. 1206 or something. Says problem with cooling mapping system (thermostat or temp sensor)
Both temp sensor and thermostat changed and temp now sits on 90 degrees.

[mcgee9t2]

 can anyone confirm which way the stat and oring go in then? stat then oring or oring then stat

[Carl!]

done this today, made a nice difference to my mpg! although took me about 3 hours to complete!

[bikeman]

Some friendly advice - unless you are a very good mechanic DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE YOUR THERMOSTAT on your mk4 1.8T

Do not be duped into looking at these pics and your £6 thermostat and thinking you can do it without removing the alternator and a whole host of other bits that are in the way - you probably can't and you will regret attempting it.

I wish someone had told me that this is a fkin pig of a job

YOU WILL BREAK YOUR DIPSTICK TUBE
and
YOU WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY FAIL TO UNDO YOUR THERMOSTAT HOUSING because the bolts are practically impossible to get a spanner/socket on.

Pay the £50 to a dealer and let them do it.

This is probably the best bit of advice you will get.... this and wear sunscreen.

[WadGTI]

Some friendly advice - unless you are a very good mechanic DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE YOUR THERMOSTAT on your mk4 1.8T

Do not be duped into looking at these pics and your £6 thermostat and thinking you can do it without removing the alternator and a whole host of other bits that are in the way - you probably can't and you will regret attempting it.

I wish someone had told me that this is a fkin pig of a job

YOU WILL BREAK YOUR DIPSTICK TUBE
and
YOU WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY FAIL TO UNDO YOUR THERMOSTAT HOUSING because the bolts are practically impossible to get a spanner/socket on.

Pay the £50 to a dealer and let them do it.

This is probably the best bit of advice you will get.... this and wear sunscreen.

in all honesty it aint that hard and yeah you can do it without removing the alt. Patience and right tools is key i=on this one I think.

I would encourage anyone who wants to save £50 to do this if needed.

[mcgee9t2]

^^ Rubish, took me a few hours, but i did it with out removing alt. i didnnt even have to remove the "tray" with the electrical components on, just loosened it...

dip stick i did snap, but that was as i was putting it all back togeather i sliped and snapped it 

[northeast_gti-t]

^^ Rubish, took me a few hours, but i did it with out removing alt. i didnnt even have to remove the "tray" with the electrical components on, just loosened it...

dip stick i did snap, but that was as i was putting it all back togeather i sliped and snapped it 

mine did but to be fair it was already brittle  so i replaced it anyway had mine all sorted within the hour

[bikeman]

I have it on good authority that the thermostat location was decided by a Citroën engineer on secondment to VW - c##t

[Kitten]

Do you need any special tools for this job?