This deserved a separate thread because AndreasPassat and I are discussing an issue that is puzzling. He's convinced that there are two orings, and I only have one. I have one on the old one I removed, and only one came with the new one I'm about to install. It mounts on the outside of the thermostat (so you can see it when the thermostat is inserted). I didn't have any o-rings behind it, nor did the replacement thermostat come with two o-rings (just the same as I removed). What the heck is going on? AndreasPassat is always spot on, so I don't know what the heck to think. I didn't see anything fly out when I pulled the old one. I can look around. Makes no sense.
I called VW parts. He insisted that there is only one o-ring on/around the thermostat (on the outside, as I saw when removing). AndreasPassat says he's had two on every V6 job. What the heck is going on?
BTW, the front oring was somewhat bonded to the thermostat, and would never fall off. There was no sign of any rubber, oring, residue whatsoever on the back of the thermostat.
If this 2nd o-ring does exist, the only thing that makes sense is that the VW dealer who did my last TB change didn't put it in. But why didn't I have leaks at the thermostat if that's the case? This holiday weekend is definitely the wrong time to be stuck on a timing belt job. :crazy:
THANK YOU PZ! I've been in a holding pattern for hours. I'll text your answer to AndreasPassat. I'm stunned he was incorrect, because the guy is dead on with everything. I didn't want to move forward when he was so convinced.
I'm so thankful for his help. I'm going to owe him a new car when I'm done.
Ok, first up, AndreasPassat just apologized and said he was confusing with a different car (I certainly don't blame him!).
Second, so we are all on the same page, and so anyone reading this in the future understands:
Pic#1: Hole into which thermostat is installed. The lip at the beginning is where AndreasPassat thought an o-ring should go (I think), but every source, and my old one, was installed direct metal contact between lip of thermostat and the mating metal surface.
Pic#2: Thermostat installed with the only o-ring placed outside.
Pic#3: The housing mating surface, which is cinched down directly on the thermostat - no additional o-ring.
We all clear?
(EDIT: I correctly oriented the thermostat in 2nd picture, with valve on top, as mentioned in the next post - the 2nd pic is now correct).
After watching yet ANOTHER instruction video, I realized that the thermostat above is installed upside down. That small hole is a bleed air hole or something. It wasn't mentioned in any of my instructions. Glad I accidentally caught it now!! Just to make sure that I don't mislead anyone in the future, I'll replace the pic above with the correct orientation after I go back in and spin it.
EDIT: Image now shows correct installation orientation.
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