mattsimis

I know there is already an image floating around here, but my one is less scary as all thats going on in the image is the 'stat replace!

The 'stat replace is super simple on the older engines, drain some coolant (bottom right petcock on radiator when facing), loosen 3 hose clamps and bend the hoses out of the way, unscrew the 'stat housing (2 Torx screws), remove old 'stat, install new stat (dont forget the rubber o-ring, purchased separately!) and reinstall.


Whoever did this last put some blue sealant around the housing and screw threads, since it wasnt leaking before, it removed the old sealant and put some fresh stuff on (careful not to put too much incase it floats off into the coolant flow).

silverd2

Thanks for the pic...it'll be a good link to give others in the future.
Wish it was that easy on the newer 40V's...Audi really messed that one up.

P.S. I've never heard of a supplier NOT including the O-ring with the thermostat? ...I've done countless changes and it always comes with it. Did you buy it from an Audi dealer?

mattsimis

Yep, direct from my local Audi garage. Its a separate PN, but I too would have thought it would be offered as part of the sale to the customer.

silverd2

Dealer...that explains it. Every penny they can make

jpriboj

I am new here so please bear with me. I stumbled across this site by acident yet this thermostat thread is exactly what my car needs. I am pretty sure it is not this simple on my 2002 Audi S8 or is it? Please advise.

silverd2

Much more involved on your engine. Timing belt has to come out of the way, so depending on your mileage, might as well do the timing belt service at the same time.
If you do your own work, Bentley manual has the whole procedure and entire belt job can be done for a few hundred $$. If not, a dealer will charge at least $500 just to change the thermostat...maybe less at an independent mechanic. Entire belt procedure can run up to $1800 at a dealer, including thermostat, belt, rollers, tensioner and water pump...less maybe at an independent mechanic.