[MLB]

Earlier this year I had to replace the lower radiator hose after it developed a catastrophic leak at the large hose clamp. The hose failed the second I pulled into the garage with a river of coolant running out, like the car had to pee really bad but didn't want to leave me stranded on the side of the road. How nice!

After finally receiving what was apparently the last lower radiator hose in north america (scary), I noticed the thermostat was rattling around, having long since lost the rubber gasket, but I didn't want to wait again for more parts, so I buttoned things back up for the summer and had no problems.

I replaced the thermostat with its black rubber gasket a couple weeks ago, while the car is out of commission for vario-cam pad and chain replacement.



Tonite I noticed this metal ring under the car (still not done setting cam timing, but got it figured out!).

Crap. It was a beast getting that damn snap ring out and then back in the WP. I don't see this part (or the thermostat for that matter) in the PET diagram of the coolant system, but I suppose this ring is supposed to go in the water pump just behind the thermostat?



   



Thanks,

--Michael

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[968cabx2]

simple answer is yes. I fought with that bad boy myself when changing the waterpump. It can be a real struggle and result in some interesting curses.

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[flash]

i find it mind boggling that they really blew it on the thermostat assembly procedure. it almost requires that you remove the pump to change the thermostat (maybe that was their intent all along?). the angle really sucks, and most people leave the holes for the snap ring pliers in the wrong spot so you can't get at them when the pump is in place. the other issue is that even if you leave them in the right spot, you need a really long and sturdy pair of snap ring pliers. i've buggered up two pair of the cheap ones screwing with this, and now need to buy better ones.

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[Cloud9...68]

The trick is to get a pair of angled needle nose pliers (either 90 degrees, or 45 degrees - the latter is probably better, but I've done fine with my 90 degree pair), and grind their tips down to fit in the holes in the thermostat snap ring. Makes the job a "snap". Don't remember ever seeing a metal ring like the OP shows, though...

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[Lear35A]

There are many areas where Porsche's designers could have made things easier for maintenance. As Cloud says though, this isn't one of the major ones. It's really very easy. You just need the right tool. The one in the picture is only about twenty bucks, and you can have a thermostat out and in in a couple of minutes. Like the flywheel lock there are just certain tools you need to maintain this car.

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[flash]

yeah - i said the same thing above. you need a GOOD pair of snap ring pliers. the ones i was using were in a kit that allowed you to change tips, none of which were long enough.

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[MLB]

Thanks for all the replies everyone

Lear, I just zoomed in on your pic; motion pro 08-0279 snap ring pliers, thanks

About $25 from Amazon...

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[flash]

link please - i'll buy them too

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[94SilverCab]

http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0279...ing+pliers

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[Mark]

[quote name='flash' timestamp='1416757879' post='163893']

i find it mind boggling that they really blew it on the thermostat assembly procedure.  it almost requires that you remove the pump to change the thermostat (maybe that was their intent all along?).  the angle really sucks, and most people leave the holes for the snap ring pliers in the wrong spot so you can't get at them when the pump is in place.  the other issue is that even if you leave them in the right spot, you need a really long and sturdy pair of snap ring pliers.  i've buggered up two pair of the cheap ones screwing with this, and now need to buy better ones.

[/quote]



I can honestly say I thought replacing the thermostat was a breeze and so did my mechanic buddy who had never seen the engine bay before I borrowed his lift for this job a few weeks back.

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[flash]

wow - i wrestled with that thing for quite a while. it was installed with the pump off the car, and the snap ring holes were in the wrong spot, and it wouldn't turn. complete pain in the butt.



i'll order the tool. don't want to deal with that again.

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[Mark]

Well my friend is a professional mechanic and did have many different spare snap ring tools in his home tool box. Yeah the one in there was not oriented well so it took about 2 minutes to get it out, the current one is oriented to make it easier the next time.

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[Eric_K]

Or you could just get rid of the snap ring completely. I've been using this for a few years.



http://www.mcmaster.com/#92370a261/=ur4ki9

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[Bulti]

How do you get that thing out again?

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[Eric_K]

Just use a flat bladed screwdriver on the 'ear' to pop it out of the groove and then grab it with your fingers and pull/unwind it out. It is not stiff like a snap ring.

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