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The yellow clip is not needed at all. It is only used to hold the two pieces together at the factory, for shipping and for installing so the two parts do not slip apart. I removed it before installing the entire thermostat assembly and had no problem with installation with the two half's wanting to separate at all, they are pressed together rather tightly as there is a rubber ring the seals them together. The yellow clip is a throw away item.
does anyone have a step by step procedure documented (instead of searching for thermostat housing in the service manual)? I hate to admit it, but I replaced all of the cooling related stuff when I get our current jag about three years ago. Looks like the thermostat housing is leaking again so I'm replacing it. I thought I documented it, but can't find anything and now don't remember how. Want to do it tomorrow, so if anyone has anything, that would be great.
To anyone who did it before....
1- How much time did it take you?
2- what is a reasonable Independent shop will charge?
3-My car also needs new plugs; are they easier to reach with the thermostat off?
I just saw this thread, and felt bad that I didn't see it sooner. I too have replaced the thermostat housing twice on my car. Both times I left the riser under the throttle body in place and didn't attempt to get at the four bolts that are so difficult to get to. That part is only a riser and if it fails then I will be forced to go the full way with removing it. Until then, (165,000+ miles), I will just continue to replace the housing without removing the riser. Chuck's recommendation on greasing the O ring is what I did. Same for the hoses.
To anyone who did it before....
1- How much time did it take you?
2- what is a reasonable Independent shop will charge?
3-My car also needs new plugs; are they easier to reach with the thermostat off?
1.) I did my thermostat within the past month - took me about one hour from start to finish. I'm getting good at this job which is something I wish I didn't have to say.
2.) Have no clue - but more than what I paid for a thermostat housing on EBay.
3,) No, they are not affected by the thermostat. I have changed all of my plugs even the back two, without removing anything under the hood. With the right extension(s) and u-joint connection all plugs can be extracted without taking anything else off under the hood.
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but wanted to post some additional info for anyone that finds this in the future. Changing just the crossover pipe and leaving the neck that connects to the block may have been a quicker repair back when the original was only 5-6 years old, but this plastic will not hold up over the long term.
My first coolant housing was replaced under warranty around 57k miles. Right on schedule the thermostat portion failed again at 130k miles (engine was not getting up to normal temperature). Pulled the old housing off and found that the dealer took the shortcut of only replacing the pipe section and not the neck. The date code on the original crumbling neck is 2006, on the latter pieces 2012.
In my opinion there's not much savings in leaving the neck assembly in place. If you've already removed the throttle body, there's only 6 more bolts (2 on the EGR and 4 on the plenum) and the plenum comes right off. Then the neck can be replaced.
#Sarchasm so glad Jag decided to take a page from BMW's book and use plastic that is coolant-soluble for the critical system!
Totally agree with you mhamilton. Don't bother just replacing the individual parts when you can get the whole thermostat housing including temp sensor and thermostat for cheaper than buying the individual parts. And as you say you might as well change the whole lot when you are in there anyway. Totally a waste of time just replacing the individual parts. I recently did this with mine as my housing was leaking badly and I also did the water pump and belt at the same time.
Replaced them all on the 07, with regular type bolts.
Just in case it ever needs changed again.
For the torx bolts on my car, I used a T30 bit in a 1/4" 6-point socket, with a 3" extension on a 1/4" drive ratchet. Removed them with no problem. Used a little tape to keep the torx bit from falling out of the socket.
I did swap the housing, but I failed to do the "neck". ( So I replaced the gasket on the neck and left the old plastic in place.)
Which screws did I miss to get to these neck-screws out ?