While removing my coolant hard pipes, I somehow managed to break the little black plastic think that is on the outer edge of the thermostat. You can see the back of the little tab thing in this pic. Is it ok to still use, the metal tab is still in place, is just a little loose without the plastic cover on the front of it?
maybe try to put it in boiling water, see whether it works or not. or buy mine used but very good condition!~
I'm more wondering what the tab does. I'm guessing it might hold the thermostat in place, so I may have fooked it.
Grab a new one mate, they're not expensive. You don't want to risk a leak once you put it all back in.
The only thing on it I would think could be called a tab is the little check valve to let air bubbles pass through for ease of bleeding - though I have never noticed any black plastic on this? If you are talking about the seal around the entire outside edge of the thermostat then forget it. It has been installed in error as the VG30DE engines were designed without one. (sealant is used instead) As said above it is a good idea to just replace it with a brand new one especially if you don't know the age of the current one, genuine aren't that badly priced.
Pic... Thanks mungyz, I think everything is fine. When removing the hardpipes a little black plastic cap also fell. I assumed it was from the thermostat, but now I doubt it. I think everything is normal, yes? Also, does look like it is my inlet cam seal that is making my engine bay a mess! The cam gear was wet with oil, and behind the gear is a mess. The entire front of the engine is actually a mess, and the insides of my timing belt covers are lined with oil
Yip that's the little check valve make sure it goes back in with the valve to the top. Time to change ALL the seals on the front of the engine then I guess dude Unless you know the others have been done and maybe the leaky one was just damaged or something. Have you done the 100k kit on it? was it done in the past?
100k service was done prior to me purchasing the car. I doubt the cam gear seals were replaced. At least the timing belt looks to be in very good condition.
The belt in my car was looking 'good' as well. What wasnt good was the fact i could lift the belt up and 'unspring' the intake valves. Lucky i decided to pull it apart when i did, i dont think it had much time left lol.
Is it bad? No, you will not get in trouble, nor be considered bad if you pull out the thermostat There is nothing that holds the thermostat in place, it simply pulls out (if that is the question?)
Oh dear now you have to decide if you want to replace the oil pump crankshaft seal, that can be fun getting the cam belt drive gear off The other four seals are easy as, the oil pump one can take a lot of time. Do it once do it right - change the whole lot. It sucks doing a job like this and then having to do it again because the "shortcut" didn't work. Unless you have plans for an engine rebuild later on? maybe if the crank seal looks OK at this stage it might last till the big job?
The thermostat is there to control the coolant flow, and engine temp. It limits coolant flow when cold to get the engine up to operating temps, and allows more flow once engine is warm to keep temps optimal. Why would you want to not use a thermostat?
Without a thermostat your car will run rich. The thermostat helps get the engine quickly up to operating temperature. Until it reaches that temp the ECU runs rich and advances the timing. In same cases removing the thermostat means the engine never reaches full temp and runs permanently rich
The cam seals take about 20minutes to replace jono, leave them alone unless there leaking, I dont see any oil mate.
You don't see what I see Geoff, I see oil . Timing cover backing plate is covered in oil. The inlet cam gear had oil residue on it also. I'm going to attempt to replace the seals without removing the UDP. I'm going to mark the belt up to the gears... And clamp the belt so it can't come off the bottom sprocket.
My cam seals need doing too jono, do you reckon you will attempt it yourself or leave it to the experts? I can smell a tech day...
I still haven't decided Martin. I know I could do it myself, I just don't know if I have the time. Mate, you should be doing it while you don't have a license
Very true, been reading lots of the tech articles- im just a little scared about getting the timing belt back on correctly, seems a bit of a PITA and costly to stuff up.
