Radiator / cooling thermostat

Yea, I don't fancy taking the alternator off - special tool required isn't it?
I will see if I can lever against it or extend it somehow once I get a socket that will grip the bolt.
I have a 5mm hex bit that fits my ratchet and it will turn the upper bolt but is just too long to get at the lower bolt. I think that I could get it to fit by grinding off 5 mil or so off the length from the back of it - I might try that too.
Give me a shout if you want assistance (assuming you're still working in Hamilton), I have suitable tools and have done this before with the alternator in situ.
 
Give me a shout if you want assistance (assuming you're still working in Hamilton), I have suitable tools and have done this before with the alternator in situ.
Thanks, technically still working in Hamilton but I have only been to the office a couple of times since lockdown. I am working from home, the other side of Lanark.

I certainly could pop by though - thanks for the offer.

I had another go today. I found another better 10mm socket, but could still not budge the bolt.
Amazon say my order of a new socket is delayed but may still come today, not that I think that it will help now.

I tried grinding down a 5mm hex bit but it was tough and would probably have taken all day to get 5mm off. A hacksaw hardly made a scratch either.

I tried a 5mm allen key and molegrips, but the allen key only flexed and there was not much room to move the molegrips. I tried a 5mm socket and extension bar for the socket set witch gave me more leverage and the allen key still only flexed as far as the it could go before hitting something.

I now doubt that any tools will get the bolt out with the alternator in situ...

damadgeruk - if you still want a try let me know when you are available...
 
I got the socket from Amazon, compared it to my other 10mm socket and it was longer. Oh no I thought that will never fit. I gave it a go though and I could just get it over the bolt head and no more. It was a firmer fit and with a bit of leverage I managed to loosen the bolt. There was no way that I could use the longer socket to unscrew the bolt, but at least it was loose enough to turn with my shorter socket and then my fingers.

Once back together with the new thermostat, when I was just about to chuck the old thermostat out I noticed something...
Thermostat.jpg

I was obviously a bit careless with fitting the old thermostat and had broken one of the plastic lugs off, and there it was causing the thermostat to stay open a little bit. I guess that is all it takes to prevent the coolant to heat up to temperature rapidly?
I did wonder why it did not last very long.
I suppose that I have a spare thermostat now.
Oh well, lessons learned...
 
Hi just an update on the parts cost I contacted my local Audi dealer and the total for the sensor seal and thermostat and seal was £87 odd I know they are genuine parts but that seems expensive one of the seals was £3.37. I also contacted Crewe Audi on chat and they are getting back to me with a price.
 
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