Thermostat change, housing etc

[RustyMojo]

I’m planning on changing the thermostat shortly as I tackle the cooling system with a refresh. Couple of questions I need addressing to save hassle! please if you don’t mind.

First off the current housing looks a bit grotty. I planned to clean it up as part of the change. But conscious lately that when I get involved with that sort of thing I go too far and the process takes me weeks as I’m fussy. So my plan is to buy a second hand housing and so the work on that before swapping over! So are 172/182 thermostat housings the same is my first question? If so does anyone have a spare I can buy off them?

next up changing the housing and thermostat itself. It’s not something I have done in a clio before, in fact the last time I changed the thermostat in a car was I’m sure in about 1999 with my 205. I will obviously be replacing the housing gasket as I think that’s a use once job. Is there anything else I need to know? Help me learn from your mistakes. I don’t want to fit everything, poor in the 6 litres of glorious green type D, only to have to dump the s**t out because I didn’t do something correctly!

so any advice gratefully received.

 

[JB21]

Once you drop the coolant, use a hose pipe to run through the system before filling with new coolant. Cant remember if the housing is plastic or metal? If metal just re-use, if plastic buy new. Cant remember what I did when I changed mine on the 182. Dont remember it being a tough job though.

 

[RustyMojo]

The housing is cast metal, I’m cool with the flush process. I can’t imagine it’s got any nastiness to encounter. But one thing I have learnt with these cars is to bloody ask. Nothing worse then finding you need a special tool, or a non replaceable seal.

 

[Louis]

The housing is cast metal, I’m cool with the flush process. I can’t imagine it’s got any nastiness to encounter. But one thing I have learnt with these cars is to bloody ask. Nothing worse then finding you need a special tool, or a non replaceable seal.

You'll want a replacement gasket IIRC.

 

[RustyMojo]

You'll want a replacement gasket IIRC.

Thanks mate, yeah from what I have read it’s a use once job. Probably £150 as well. 😂

 

[plees]

Funnily enough I think I have a spare thermostat housing on the shelf 👀