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[ians]

While I had the car apart this afternoon I thought I'd have a look at the thermostat.

Didn't get very far .  How on earth are you supposed to get to that bolt?  I couldn't even get a socket on it - think it was fouling in the power steering hose.    and I suspect getting it back in will be a joyous experience too.

Could anyone familiar with this proceedure (easy peasy Haynes 3 spanner job ) provide a quick 'how to' please?

Cheers,

Ian

[Marks DTM Calib]

The secret to teh bolt is to use a spanner......10mm I think.....its reffered to as the B@stard bolt

[ians]

Thanks Mark

Mine has a number of alternative names already - christened this afternoon

What angle of approach did you use with the spanner?

Is that the crux of the problem or is the pipe a b'stad to get out too?

Cheers

Ian

[Marks DTM Calib]

I come at it from above....to get the bolt fully out you have to press the power steering pump pipe out of the way a bit.

It also secures the dip stick top mount and engine lifting bracket to....

Once removed, you need to wiggle the pipe from the battery end until it pops out of the stat housing.....leave the stat bolted down until you have done this...

[JamesV6CDX]

I come at it from above....to get the bolt fully out you have to press the power steering pump pipe out of the way a bit.

It also secures the dip stick top mount and engine lifting bracket to....

Once removed, you need to wiggle the pipe from the battery end until it pops out of the stat housing.....leave the stat bolted down until you have done this...

Sound advice..

I did Max's recently.. I Was able to move the PAS reservior out of the way enough to get a ratchet on it whilst sitting in the engine bay....

[ians]

whilst sitting in the engine bay....

Sounds uncomfortable....

sorry forgot - we are talking about working on Omega's - comfort doesn't come into it  

[Kev]

Ho Ho Ho.  

Ah the memories. My coolant pipe just refused point blank to come out of the stat housing, no matter how much i wiggled/levered the damn thing. Was at it for hours! I ended up with a bust lip due to being a bit over zealous with a pry bar. Missus freaked when she seen all the blood, admittedly there was a lot.  

At that point i let Mr Hacksaw loose on the housing, a big screwdriver in the half cut it had made on the housing, one chap from a hammer and the hard bit was over. Slide the pipe out, unbolt the housing, and it's done.

Remember your flush. And flush. And flush.

[ians]

Ah so as I suspected there is more to it that just the bstad bolt.

I doubt the Haynes guy actually did it at all.

I know about the self abuse , I've got scars on my hand from something slipping.

[JamesV6CDX]

if the pipe is stubborn, just gently grip it with big plumbing grips and rotate it side to side, GENTLY.... works every time for me..

[Kev]

if the pipe is stubborn, just gently grip it with big plumbing grips and rotate it side to side, GENTLY.... works every time for me..

Yup, tried that too. LOL.  

[ians]

Anyone know what size torx the b@stard bolt is?

[Marks DTM Calib]

T11 I think but, like I say, a 10mm spanner is a better bet as they open ended or easier to get in a cranked ring....

[ians]

..and that's not going to wreck the bolt head? :-?

but anyway - sounds like a good excuse to buy a set of open ended spanners..

I know I was trying two torx sockets but access was so obscure i couldn't even figure out which was correct.