[manbearpig54]

hey everyone,

I've had my Passat (1.8L 2002) sitting for a few years regrettably. but now i'm in the process of getting it going again for my girlfriend to use as a commuter. the car runs fine, I just have a coolant leak, as far as I can tell it's coming out of the thermostat housing, or in that area. I've replaced the thermostat O-ring and its still leaking. when I took the housing off the O-ring was on the inside of the thermostat, common sense tells me it should go on the outside since that's where you don't want the coolant going, maybe i'm dead wrong? does anyone have a diagram of how that area goes together? also, the coolant only leaks once the car has warmed up and the thermostat has opened... that makes me think that the leak is caused by something after the thermostat. maybe someone knows of a common leak that comes from the thermostat housing area? i'm getting pretty close to just using some liquid gasket around that whole housing because I am stumped. if anyone has any ideas, I could use some help. thank you in advance

 

[2002GLXV6]

Replace the thermostat housing. Also, if you only replaced the O-ring and not the thermostat I would replace it as well. Reason being that if the O-ring was installed incorrectly before there is a chance that the thermostat may be deformed slightly. You can buy everything in kit form (housing, thermostat, O-ring and bolts). Best to go with OE VW parts on the housing.

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/b5-information-base/312212-diy-b5-5-1-8t-thermostat-replacement.html

 

[PZ]

A 2nd for only OEM t-stat housings. I installed an aftermarket t-stat housing yesterday on a car and it leaked at the hose connection. The new OEM housing sealed properly.

 

[manbearpig54]

ok, thanks a bunch! I guess we'll just try resealing everything and praying for the best. I couldn't remember if there was a gasket on the housing or not, there's one available on autozone. should I put one in or just leave it be?