1.9 Thermostat housing removal?

joshbrooks · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 1:15 pm Post subject: 1.9 Thermostat housing removal?

I need to replace the thermostat housing on my 85. I have all the bolts out, but the housing won't budge. Any ideas? I think the coolant pipe running behind the engine is the holdup but I am not sure. I am gonna get back at it and hopefully I'll be able to get it off. Any advice would be great!

joshbrooks · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 6:15 pm Post subject:

Nothing? This thing is kicking my butt!

Ethan5150 · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:08 pm Post subject:

I just went through this - it's definitely a hassle. It's a super tight squeeze and it can get really stuck to the water pump. Pull the two bolts and pull down hard. If you can't get it out you can pull the water pump too. Also, getting it back in is worse - if the engine is out it's no biggie but with the engine in I ended up grinding a little of the t-stat housing off that was bumping into the pipe - that made things WAY easier going in. Make sure you order replacement gaskets (I like Van Cafe) or you'll be dead in the water going back in. A little gasket maker ooze on the connections won't hurt, but don't use too much - a tiny bit goes a long way.

joshbrooks · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:54 pm Post subject:

Alright thanks. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something unseen that was holding it on. I'll get back at it tomorrow and hopefully I can get it out.

joshbrooks · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:58 pm Post subject:

Well, it turns out that I didn't have both bolts out. One of the bolts was broken off inside the housing by the previous owner. That explains my troubles in removing it. I am in the process of drilling out a hole in the bolt to try an extractor. It is a pain! I broke one extractor already. Anyway, if I can't get this out and have to drill all the way through, how bad is it going to be to tap a new hole into the block? Anyone have any words of wisdom?

joshbrooks · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:51 pm Post subject:

Well the good news is the thermostat housing is off.

The bad news is the forward bolt is sheared off in the water pump and a bolt extractor is broken off in that.

Any ideas here?

Looks like I am going to have to pull the pump to get this taken care of, and possibly even replace it.

What thoughts do you have?

whafalia · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:23 pm Post subject:

The price of a new water pump sounds about equal to the hassle you're looking at, I think.

joshbrooks · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 12:07 pm Post subject:

Yea I think that is what I am going to do. I have a new thermostat housing on the way and am researching water pumps. Does anyone have good or bad things to say about a specific brand of pump?

seanjenn · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject:

I'd like to know as well.

But all I could find from my searches is that it seems to be a total crap shoot.
The pumps that you'd think would be the good ones are hit and miss, just like the FLAPS version. Confused

I searched off and on for a couple of days, for the "fun" of it, to see what I could find out. That's what I came away with.

This is kind of an involved task I'd be willing to pay for the best, whatever it may be. There just doesn't seem to be a "best".
_________________
1984 Westy 2 Dubya D
1.9L 4spd

God thinks he's Eddy Merckx

joshbrooks · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:00 pm Post subject:

I know what you mean. It is going to be a pretty in depth job. I don't want to do it twice.

joshbrooks · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:04 pm Post subject:

I know what you mean. It is going to be a pretty in depth job. I don't want to do it twice.

joshbrooks · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject:

I just got my new wasserpumpen from the UPS man! Now I just have to install it.

seanjenn · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:13 pm Post subject:

Which pump did you get?
_________________
1984 Westy 2 Dubya D
1.9L 4spd

God thinks he's Eddy Merckx

Alaric.H · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:17 pm Post subject:

If yoy bring it over I will try to fix it for you.

joshbrooks · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:17 pm Post subject:

I got a Hepu. Brand new and made in Germany. Got it for $55 with free shipping from gowestyautoparts.com

joshbrooks · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 5:28 pm Post subject:

Well, I have made a lot of progress on this but I still have one more hurdle. I have a stripped bolt on the upper water pipe that fits into the thermostat housing with an o-ring. It is a 6 mm socket cap screw with the innards stripped. Any experience in getting these out? Also, what size thread is it so I can buy a couple replacements? Thanks!

joshbrooks · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:28 pm Post subject:

Good news! I have everything removed and ready to reinstall! I was able to get all the bolts I needed to replace the rusted ones with one exception. The 85 mm bolts that hold the thermostat housing to the water pump are not a common length. I had to order them and it took a bit of looking to find them. While I wait for the bolts to arrive, I decided to do some clean up. I removed the coolant pipe that goes across the top of the engine from under the maf. After a few minutes with a wire wheel removing rust in preparation for fresh paint, I found two very small holes in it. I have it prepped and ready for repair now. I'll put up a few photos tomorrow.

BetaVan · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:38 pm Post subject:

I have a small leak emanating from my T-Stat housing as well, and fear I may need to pull this soon. My big concern is that I have AC, and the compressor is directly above the housing. I'm nervous about removing the unit and bungling the pipes with the refrigerant. Do you have AC? If so, how did you go about this issue. I'm guessing you don't, but here's hoping. Anybody else out there have any advice?

Looking forward to some pics!

joshbrooks · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:42 pm Post subject:

I don't have a/c. It came with it, but at some point along the way someone removed the entire setup, including the compressor.

Ahwahnee · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:58 pm Post subject:

>Help >Donate >Buy Shirts >Register >Log in	See all Samba banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon/Eurovan	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2