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MG MGF Technical - pffeeew, thermostat removal on ´99 MPI

Hi guys,

had a fight with the F´s engine bay today.I kinda lost :-(

I am installing the PRRT. I´m taking out the old thermostat replacing it with the ring thingy.

I followed the workshop manual. It is not as straight forward as written down. anywhere near as simple actually.

1. king pin and coil plug
2. remove coil
3. remove 2 bolts retaining water rail
4. remove three bolt from thermostat housing
5. remove thermostat
6. replace with ring
7. back in reverse order.

Yeah right. I need hands of a 5 year old to do all that. I found that raising the car on stands, I could get easier access from below. Fix the ratchet from below, turn from above.

Anyway, after 1,5 hour I ended up at 4.
Undid 2 bolts. I can honnestly not believe, that there is 1 single person around that managed to undo the 3rd bolt, which is at the back of the thermostat housing. IMO the inlet manifold needs to be removed.
Of you could pull the water rail and hope the thermostat comes off. Tried to pull, but the assy wouldn´t move.

I´ve come to realise that I haven´t used the search function in the archive yet. D´oh
Will do so in a minute.

Anyone any other solutions?

thanks in advance,
david.
David Peters

Did some reading. Carl suggests a flexidrive sorta screwdriver " to stay cool and keep a decent language during the operation" which has put a smile to my face at the end of this day *LOL*

I´m going to print this expression and put it up in my garage. I need it all the time when working on the car *ROFLOL*

David Peters

go to halfords, get a 8mm ratchet spanner, a good one.

then astound yourself with just how easy it is, or something like that ;)

you cant get a normal ratchet in there, and Im surprised carl managed to get a screwdriver - even a flexi one.

The ratchet spanner is required because you can only get about 5 degrees of movement on it
Will Munns

thanks Will.
I can touch the bolt with my finger. But the way it is positioned suprises me a ratchet spanner fits in there. It´s kindof at the backside of the housing. But hey, it has been tried and tested!! So I´ll get to it next weekend. Will get a flexidrive as well. So I can complete my toolset some more. Good tools cost a fortune. I actually buy ratchet spanners one size at the time, when I need them.
will report later.
cheers,
David Peters

Would this sort of thing help!!

http://toolmonger.com/2007/05/17/hot-or-not-the-skewdriver/

Carl
C Bintcliffe

I've done it twice, it is a bugger to get to, it looks as if they designed it especially to sell ratchet spanners
Will Munns

:) me proudly can say:
Done that too, but only once, and that's why I still keep the PRT sitting in the garage instead of put it to the car. ;-)
It's indeed a pain, special for the rear of the three bolts that you could touch but not see.
http://www.mgfcar.de/thermostat/Dcp_5546.jpg

This was what Carl had recommended.
http://www.mgfcar.de/thermostat/flex_driver.jpg
I just used the small ratchet with universal joint and two of extensions.

Good luck with it.
Dieter

Congratulations then Dieter :-)
Noticed the "in boot entertainment" picture *LOL* not the usual ICE stuff I´d say.

http://www.mgfcar.de/k_engine/how_to_change_the_mgf_thermostat_DSC05144.JPG


I thought it was impossible. But then, patience is not my best friend. But As I get older, things get better though ;-)

cheers,
david.
David Peters

Cheers, that was the one.

I recall Andy(SF) was whinging about the same hematoma at both forearms the other day.
Dieter

This thread was discussed between 12/04/2008 and 13/04/2008

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