Anyone know how to remove the thermostat housing on a v6?

Hi everyone.

A few weeks ago my front head gasket went big time. I've been slowly doing the job, and am pretty much ready to take the heads off, except one little thing - the thermostat housing appears to have welded itself to the heads.

Before anyone asks, I have removed both bolts. Thought there would have been a thrid, but could find it, and eLearn doens't mention another either.

I've sprayed loads of wd40, tried levering with a crow bar, using a hammer and cold chisel, even putting a piece of chopped scaffoling inside and bashing with a mallet. In total I have got it to budge about 2mm

Doesn anyone know any tricks to get it to come off please, cos I don't wanna admit defeat just cos of this.

I thought they just pulled off

Perhaps the 24v has something different?

wrinx

Should just pull off I think, but mine don't want to. Was wondering if anyone else had the same problem, and how they got around it.

Percussive therapy?

wrinx

its suppposed to just pull off. unless the last guy who installed it used some glue.

redd

AFAIK there are THREE bolts on the V6 thermotstat ... which might explain its reluctance to move. V6 Thermostat

Guess the previous time it was off they could have used some sort of "instant gasket" type of stuff. Have you tried a sharp blade of some sort ... not on the muppet that last replaced it, but between the housing and the cylinder head?

Cheers everyone, but the diagram gazza linked was for the cover to the thermostat housing. Funny you lot mention glue, that was too much for the previous owner, he improvised a gasket from a cornflakes (or similar) cardboard box!!! (I've since replaced with the proper gasket)

I'm actually trying to removing the housing, the chunk of metal underneath, before i remove both heads to change the head gaskets.

I'm, well its still stuck, any more suggestions?

I didn't realise the body was separate .. in the TSpark the cover bolts directly to the end of the head ... just looked at DTE and can see the difference.

It's been a bad week (too much work, MOT, dentist) ... I need a holiday!!