AMB thermostat question

[NWB6]

I am looking to solve my no interior heat problem as its getting quite cold these days.

I took it to my mechanic and asked him to try to flush out the system of air and flush the heater core.
He insists its a thermostat problem but my car doesnt overheat and operates at normal temp while taking the normal time to get to operating temp.

Anyway, if he flushes the heater core and still wants to replace my thermostat, I was wondering if its possible to replace just the thermostat and reuse the old housing?
I have had two conflicting opinions. I cant find the thread, but someone asked this question before and 'Old Guy' responded saying you must replace the unit as a whole. He was the only person to respond and that was the end of that thread,

however, in this write up from pelican parts, http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm

it states "Always replace the gasket even if you are reinstalling the old housing"

So im a bit conflicted since I dont like spending unnecessarily on housings. (i replaced my MAF sensor and used the same housing)

any compatibility between passat thermostats? since I have found those separately for around $10
or use of a universal one of similar size and degree? need someone knowledgeable

Would like some input and/or some advice on where to even get just the thermostat (if possible). Thanks!

[old guy]

The thermostat housing has a heating element incorporated into the assembly. Consequently you cannot purchase the thermostat portion separately. The only way it is available is as a complete assembly.

The thermostat is a map controlled thermostat. It cannot be replaced with a standard thermostat.

[NWB6]

i found this on amazon for a super good deal with amazon prime too. Anyone ever heard of koolman? not sure if trustworthy

http://www.amazon.com/Coolant-Thermo...5%3A2470955011

[maurizio]

some good info here
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...light=aux+pump

Thermostat is prob ok

[NWB6]

some good info here
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...light=aux+pump

Thermostat is prob ok

thanks, it is great info, bookmarked. Im fairly sure my thermostat is ok as well. I insisted my mechanic do some troubleshooting first so hopefully he stops insisting its the t-stat and calls me with some better news

[Steve Bassen]

The thermostat is a map controlled thermostat. It cannot be replaced with a standard thermostat.

Technically you can... swap all the B5.5 Passat stuff (coolant pipes, thermostat housing, a couple hoses) on, then a toon that includes flat lining the maps for desired and actual temp for the thermostat and coolant temp. I was going to do that for the now-defunct BAT build...

Sorry, tangent. Stick with an OE thermostat (Behr/Hella); the cheaper brands, just like the rear coolant flange, are far more likely to warp/leak/fail.

https://www.europaparts.com/thermost...111k-behr.html

[NWB6]

Technically you can... swap all the B5.5 Passat stuff (coolant pipes, thermostat housing, a couple hoses) on, then a toon that includes flat lining the maps for desired and actual temp for the thermostat and coolant temp. I was going to do that for the now-defunct BAT build...

Sorry, tangent. Stick with an OE thermostat (Behr/Hella); the cheaper brands, just like the rear coolant flange, are far more likely to warp/leak/fail.

https://www.europaparts.com/thermost...111k-behr.html

So in other words not worth it. You cant take the b6 a4 thermo housing apart and remove the thermostat?
i did some research on Koolman, and what little info i found was negative. Poor fitment

[Steve Bassen]

Right, the housing is non-serviceable, it's all friction-welded together as a unit, so it'd be destroyed if you tried to disassemble it. It's not the most accessible thing, either (intake, alternator, etc, to get to it), so try to stick to the Behr/Hella unit.

[BARRY]

i had a no heat issue and over heating as well as lost coolant. thermostat housing was cracked.

replaced water pump, timing belt, thermostat, j-plug, and rear outlet housing. used new G12 coolant and properly bled the heater core. Still no heat so I ended up changing out the heater core for a new one. Heater works awesome now! better than new as the replacement core I am using now has may more fins for heat transfer.

[NWB6]

I picked up a new thermostat housing, but noticed the slightest gap between the top housing and bottom coolant flange, shining a light inside you can see the orange gasket of the thermostat. great. That means it will most likely leak right? Any chance of putting some sealant on there? Old guy help!

[old guy]

I'm not exactly sure what you are describing. Where is the gap and visible gasket?

[BARRY]

ya...post a pic, there shouldn't be any orange gasket...

[NWB6]

Thanks for the quick replies. Managed to get a decent pic of it



- - - Updated - - -

Not sure if gasket but you can see something orange behind the slight gap between the two pieces "bolted" together

[BARRY]

if its a liquid rtv gasket don't open it. i can't recall if it was a liquid gasket or not.

if its a liquid gasket then you "should" be safe with it like that as its just excess gasket. it might actually be a liquid gasket. look inside if there is more orange gasket goop then its a liquid gasket.

i think my replacement thermostat had liquid gasket goop inside smushed around creating a seal.

[old guy]

What brand?

[NWB6]

if its a liquid rtv gasket don't open it. i can't recall if it was a liquid gasket or not.

if its a liquid gasket then you "should" be safe with it like that as its just excess gasket. it might actually be a liquid gasket. look inside if there is more orange gasket goop then its a liquid gasket.

i think my replacement thermostat had liquid gasket goop inside smushed around creating a seal.

not sure if liquid or not but it looks like solid rubber idk. I dont think i would try to open it since i heard that will just ruin the housing. hmm

- - - Updated - - -

What brand?

murray brand

[old guy]

My personal opinion for something like a mapped thermostat is to go OEM or OEM supplier (Behr). It just isn't worth the risk to save a few $$. This will probably be the only time you replace the thermostat so don't cheap out. You can find a Behr for $80 to $100 from numerous sites.

[NWB6]

My personal opinion for something like a mapped thermostat is to go OEM or OEM supplier (Behr). It just isn't worth the risk to save a few $$. This will probably be the only time you replace the thermostat so don't cheap out. You can find a Behr for $80 to $100 from numerous sites.

thanks for the advice, youre right. Im definitley gonna return this and just order online. Wanted the car done tonight but will have to wait for shipping

[old guy]

I think you will be better off in the long run. A quick search found these: Clicky click® and Clicky click 2®

[NWB6]

But in regards to my initial question what could be done about that gap? permatex red?

[old guy]

But in regards to my initial question what could be done about that gap? permatex red?

Or some high temp epoxy smeared over the gap.

[f1torrents]

When it come to aftermarket components ESPECIALLY coolant ones I have learned my lesson.
Granted it took many painful sessions for me to finally learn those that lesson.

Just go OEM.. Its a few dollars more (even from the dealer) and you will end up buying it anyway.. trust me..

You will end up saving yourself the cost of the aftermarket part that WILL fail.
And all the time it took you to out it on the first time.