Thread: thermostat replacement advice needed! plz

Hi all,

I am trying to replace my thermostat on A3 2004 2.0l FSI petrol engine code - BLX
i can see the thermostat under the intake manifold (i think) ive read loads of different posts but don't seem to be able to find the info i'm after. does the intake manifold have to come off? so far all ive taken off is the top engine cover and there is no way i can get at the tstat.

thermostat pn - 06f121111

i might be being a complete tool but if anyones got any advice would be much appreciated.

Just to update I am pretty sure i am going to have to take the alternator out, to give me access to thermostat I will have an attempt tomorrow if the snow stops :|

Again if anyone has any more info on this subject please let me know

Cheers
Sam

1996 AUDI CABRIOLET THERMOSTAT OF 2.8L V 6

Finding it and replacing it are two different questions. You cannot see it without removing parts. The thermostat housing is bolted to the front of the engine, behind the belts, and attached by two 10mm bolts. The housing is ukalele (sp?) shaped, pointing down and toward the passenger side. You can see the bottom end which has two hoses attached, low on the passenger side of the car. The bottom radiator hose is one of them.

To find it you must remove the plastic cosmetic "beauty" cowling that covers the top and front of the engine. There are plastic screws on the top part.

1) Now you can see the serpentine belt. Make note of its pattern, or photograph it before you proceed. You will probably enjoy some working room, which you can easily get if you remove the fan housing from the radiator. Then there will be plenty of room. (The fan housing is attached by 2 10mm bolts at the top and it will slide up and out if you loosen the top hose and the wires to the fans. The fan wires do not seem to unplug at the fans but you can disconnect them from their attachments under the drivers' side headlight, by removing their two 10 mm bolts. This is most easily done from underneath, so jack the driver’s side up enough that you can reach them).

2) To remove the serpentine belt you twist the belt tensioner, (a 17mm socket will work the belt tensioner, by turning it clockwise as you face the engine).

3) Remove the belt tensioner (use a 10mm Allen wrench).

4) Then you can remove the plastic covers for the timing belts. They are attached only by clips and tight fit. Loosen the clips, then remove the drivers side cover first. Now you can see the bolted on portion of thermostat housing, attached with two 10 mm bolts located very close to the timing belt. One high, one low Reaching them is possible, but ridiculous.

You are nearly there, but here is the part that will have you cursing the engineer.

5) Removing the thermostat housing without removing or damaging the timing belt is the tricky part. You need a little room to pry the Thermostat housing out from behind the timing belt.

Before starting, mark the timing belt and pulleys in case something bad should happen and you need to replace it. You can pry the timing belt part of the way off of the pulleys to give you the ¾ inch room that you need. I pried the belt with my hands and gentle application of a wooden dowel as a pry tool, by adjusting it a little at a time (say 1/8 inch, repeatedly) on each of the two nearest pulleys. Some say use a pry bar or turn the engine with a wrench and pull the belt 1/2 off the passenger side pulley to provide that 3/4 inch of room you need to wiggle it free.

Note: Timing belt removal supposedly requires a special brace that holds the cranks in position. Very few shops have one. I have marked my belt and each pulley with a marker, just in case.

If the TIMING belt gets broken, I understand that the cost will be over $1400 at a competent shop. I'd have an ugly belt replaced before failure or sell it.

I am not a mechanic, but a DIYer. I can do my jeep's thermostat in 15 minutes, so I thought it was worth a try. It took me over an hour.