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General Information => General => Topic started by: watsongs on February 10, 2006, 05:00:17 pm

Title: Neat trick for installing thermostats
Post by: watsongs on February 10, 2006, 05:00:17 pm
My local mechanic gave me this trick.  I was having trouble getting my thermostat and o-ring to stay put while trying to re-install them on my 1.5.  Awkward angle, o-ring wants to walk off if you don't nail it right away, I'm sure you've all ben there.  So disconnect your top radiator hose at the radiator and stick a shop vac hose in it - the shop vac will hold the thermostat in place, and a little vaseline or RTV will hold the o-ring onto the plastic elbow.  Now you can take your time.  I can't believe I didn't think of that -

Greg
Title: Re: Neat trick for installing thermostats
Post by: 52 horses on February 10, 2006, 07:20:18 pm
Quote from: "watsongs"
My local mechanic gave me this trick.  I was having trouble getting my thermostat and o-ring to stay put while trying to re-install them on my 1.5.  Awkward angle, o-ring wants to walk off if you don't nail it right away, I'm sure you've all ben there.  So disconnect your top radiator hose at the radiator and stick a shop vac hose in it - the shop vac will hold the thermostat in place, and a little vaseline or RTV will hold the o-ring onto the plastic elbow.  Now you can take your time.  I can't believe I didn't think of that -

Greg


I have owned my '82 Jetta for 4 years now and have replaced the thermostat twice... Of course I also replaced the water pump twice so it was easy... :lol:

Just turned the water pump upside down and install the new thermostat...
Title: Neat trick for installing thermostats
Post by: malone on February 11, 2006, 01:42:05 pm
That's a neat trick... here's me struggling to prevent the o-ring from slowly stretching out, while the front bumper was hardly clearing my head:

(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c34/vwdick/general%20car%20stuff/IMGP3782.jpg)

Someone had my jack at the time, but it'd be a lot nicer to have a lift or a pit for accessibility :)