1.6TD thermostat removal

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   Hi

Temp red light keeps flickering. Expansion tank keeps running dry or, almost empty. Coolant is very diluted from 5 water only fill ups from Dover - Gloucestershire. There is always some coolant in the top up tank (between min. & max. and is always cold. Whereas the expansion tank coolant/water is hot.

Changed the blue expansion cap + fanbelt.
No hose leaks. 
No water in the oil! 

So I suspect the thermostat is faulty. It is a JX 1.6TD engine.

QUESTIONS                                         ANSWERS

Thermostat location?

What is the correct procedure for
 removing & fitting a thermostat + 
gasket on a '88 1.6TD?

Is it difficult to change?

Tools needed?

Afterwards, can I simply top up the
expansion tank with red coolant?

Or must the cooling system be drained
 & bled?

Many thanks

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julian67 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 18 Apr 11 Status: Offline Points: 271	Post Options Post Reply Quote julian67 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 1.6TD thermostat removal Posted: 31 May 18 at 12:22
	Hi Temp red light keeps flickering. Expansion tank keeps running dry or, almost empty. Coolant is very diluted from 5 water only fill ups from Dover - Gloucestershire. There is always some coolant in the top up tank (between min. & max. and is always cold. Whereas the expansion tank coolant/water is hot. Changed the blue expansion cap + fanbelt. No hose leaks. No water in the oil! So I suspect the thermostat is faulty. It is a JX 1.6TD engine. QUESTIONS ANSWERS Thermostat location? What is the correct procedure for removing & fitting a thermostat + gasket on a '88 1.6TD? Is it difficult to change? Tools needed? Afterwards, can I simply top up the expansion tank with red coolant? Or must the cooling system be drained & bled? Many thanks

clift_d Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 02 Dec 12 Location: Hackney innit Status: Offline Points: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote clift_d Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 18 at 13:02
	It sounds like you really need to work out where your coolant is disappearing to. Have you checked all your hoses, the pipes front to back, and your radiator?
	1988 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker *syncro*

julian67 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 18 Apr 11 Status: Offline Points: 271	Post Options Post Reply Quote julian67 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 May 18 at 13:54
	Hi Many thanks for your adice! No leaks. Hoses fine but will check to the rad. Thanks again.

Titus A Duxass Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 12 Feb 08 Location: Lossatal, Germ. Status: Offline Points: 2164	Post Options Post Reply Quote Titus A Duxass Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Jun 18 at 05:15
	Sorry but that sounds like the usual JX problem - head gasket.
	Bollocks to it all!! 51°24′N 12°52′E

clift_d Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 02 Dec 12 Location: Hackney innit Status: Offline Points: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote clift_d Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Jun 18 at 07:51
	That was going to be my next suggestion - a 'sniff' test on your coolant to check for combustion products.
	1988 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker *syncro*

julian67 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 18 Apr 11 Status: Offline Points: 271	Post Options Post Reply Quote julian67 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Jun 18 at 08:14
	Thanks lads. I had a mechanic check the engine bay when it was hot and said it was the thermostat, so we shall see. No water in the oil, so hopefully a new therm will cure the problem Thermostat removal process? When the thermostat is changed, is it enough just to add the red coolant into the expansion box or, must the system be drained, refilled and bled? From what I understand if it is a faulty thermostat, then the water is only cirulating around the engine and not up to the radiator. When the problem started (1000 miles), I added 5 litres of red VW approved coolant. Surely there is enhough coolant in the radiator? The expanion tank has only water from 5 fills of water from Dover to Gloucestershire! Had no coolant and it was late at night! Many thanks

Titus A Duxass Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 12 Feb 08 Location: Lossatal, Germ. Status: Offline Points: 2164	Post Options Post Reply Quote Titus A Duxass Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Jun 18 at 08:49
	The thermostat is in the waterpump large outlet. If it was stuck shut you'd have boiling problems. No water in the oil but a kaputt head gasket is also not unusual.
	Bollocks to it all!! 51°24′N 12°52′E

julian67 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 18 Apr 11 Status: Offline Points: 271	Post Options Post Reply Quote julian67 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Jun 18 at 08:58
	Ok thanks Fingers crossed!

rowlesy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak murdered the murderwagen Joined: 09 Oct 05 Location: up unit! Status: Offline Points: 6466	Post Options Post Reply Quote rowlesy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jun 18 at 07:03
	pin hole in one of your water pipes onto block is another as the water evaporates but you might have a clean area on engine!
	UberFukz broke another! sucky sucky five dollah! always out numbered never out gunned! RWS welding 07846 380 467 (worcs)