Replace thermostat without removing the housing?

[Cnut 0]

I just spent most of the morning replacing the thermostat housing on my VR with a spare new one I had because the old one was leaking badly. Got it all installed and refilled the coolant and let it idle for a good 15 minutes. The water temp settled at around 100C which I thought seemed quite normal, I then took it out for spin and noticed that the water temp dropped to about 75C and only rose when the car was at a standstill.

 

To me this sounds like a dodgy thermostat, I really don't/can't be assed to remove the whole housing again just to replace the thermostat so I was wondering whether it is possible to change with the housing still in place?

 

Cheers

 

Phil

[Jim Bowen 1]

whats wrong with 75? mine sits at the 80 mark most of the time

[Supercharged 2]

Thats too low - all VW's are calibrated to sit at 90 (half way) when warmed up

 

Was the stat tested before it was installed??

[Jim Bowen 1]

so is something up with mine too? :lol:

[Cnut 0]

No it wasn't I assumed it would be alright because the stat is only about a year old and its a VW one but when it was on my old VR it had the same symptons so I'm guessing it must have been duff all along...

[CazzaVR 0]

Always worth testing a new stat in a pan of boiling water- not much good to you now. I'd bite the bullet, get a new one and replace it. Now you know what you're doing with the housing etc, it should be quicker/easier than before. At least you'll have peace of mind.