bowelder
Veteran Member
after looking through the TDI 101 how to's, I need to ask a question. What are some of your tips about changing the thermostat and housing on a 2000 Golf TDI?
thanks
thanks
Boy do I know that one! I had to use a camera tube to see the bolt to fish it out. I had to remove the A/C and one alternator bolt to nudge the alternator forward to get to it. I did not want to take the chance that the bolt would possibly touch the alternator windings and cause problems down the road. Took 3 hours for a 20 minute job. This was on my bug. My golf was easier.Twice I dropped the lower bolt that holds the housing in place and it fell down into a hard-to-get-to place. The second time I had to go buy one of those magnetic fish things to get it out. So, hang on to that one!
A magnet on an extendable stick should be one of the first tools one ever gets... (also good for finding plastered-over drywall screws when hunting for studs in the wall...)I had to go buy one of those magnetic fish things to get it out.
Good idea... I've used that magnet-on-a-stick mentioned above to get the bolts started... it holds the bolt through enough turns to get the threads meshing...A small magnet in your socket also works really well.
Even with non ball-head long allen on a swivel wrench it took only seconds.Yup, get a long ball-head allen key/socket & new bolts to go with your new housing. Overall, it's not a bad job.
I did catch the coolant in a drain pan but it had picked up some dirt and debris on the way there.Place a large drain pan under the engine past the back of the oil pan. No lost antifreeze. No reason to lose any anitfreeze with this job. Drain the coolant from the oil cooler rubber hose next to the thermstat after the lower radiator hose is drained. Super easy job.
Highly recommended! Like everyone says:Bumping an old thread. I see all the recommendations to get the OEM thermostat. Is it really a player when replacing the housing also? I was looking at picking this up to do it
https://www.idparts.com/alh-thermostat-kit-038121121-044121113-p-5578.html
best place to get OEM parts for this?Highly recommended! Like everyone says:
1. use genuine parts,
2. clip new thermostat into new housing with new o-ring
3. have no regrets.
I like the idea of trying to pull the old thermostat out by the loop and bring the housing with it without breaking clips and save for a spare if possible, but, best to have new housing on hand.
thanks, ordered bothWhile the kit would probably be just fine I would go with these.
https://www.idparts.com/thermostat-oema4a3b4-p-2067.html
https://www.idparts.com/thermostat-housingcoolant-flange-oem-a4-alh-p-3402.html
OEM replacements seem to work best. If the 'stat is working correctly I'd leave it be.I have a recently acquired car with unknown service history. Should I replace my thermostat as PM before winter hits.... Or just leave it and see how winter treats me...
Are there any high temp stats available with the important OEM locking tabs?
(I'm in cold climate and have no EGR cooler)
High temp stat won’t make it warm up faster, just run at a higher temp.I have a recently acquired car with unknown service history. Should I replace my thermostat as PM before winter hits.... Or just leave it and see how winter treats me...
Are there any high temp stats available with the important OEM locking tabs?
(I'm in cold climate and have no EGR cooler)
Stant 45379I have a recently acquired car with unknown service history. Should I replace my thermostat as PM before winter hits.... Or just leave it and see how winter treats me...
Are there any high temp stats available with the important OEM locking tabs?
(I'm in cold climate and have no EGR cooler)
Yes I understand that. I am not after quicker warmups with a higher temp stat. I plan to have a frostheater for the morning warmups anyway. I have had good experience with diesels that run slightly warmer operating temps, since they tend to lose heat so fast if not driving under much load or when parked. Plus, it might make it easier for engine to keep a higher operating temp when I call for full heat inside the cab.High temp stat won’t make it warm up faster, just run at a higher temp.