Snapped thermostat housing plug

Hello all,

I've managed to snap my thermostat housing plug this afternoon



This happened when I tried to screw it back in and I clearly tried a little too hard:doh:
So the top bit has come off and the rest is stuck in; can't seem to get it out either.
Have done a search on the forum but cant really find anything on it.
Has anyone else ever had this happen?

yup - its a common problem - replace it with a brass one.

frequently chisel it through and carefully pick rest out of thread ,then fit brass one,you can remove thermostat to clear out debris

The Mad Hat Man said:

yup - its a common problem - replace it with a brass one.

Click to expand...

Seconded

Get a Dremel, cut a slot in it, remove it with a screwdriver, fit a brass one. Simples :5bhurray:

Wow thanks all for the quick replies!
Well impressed; MHM answered within a minute lol

And thanks MHM, will order them tonight!

X Eng caps are the dogs balls.
To remove get a thin flat screw driver anduse a small hammer gentle tap the broken bit as if unscrewing. will come out no probs and no need to pick bits out

Change the one in the rad as well.


Lynall

Agree with all above but with one caveat, be very careful extracting the broken bits. If you drop a good sized lump it'll vanish out of site and sit down at the inlets to the head requiring you to remove the entire thermostat housing.

Received my new plugs today so got cracking when I got home:
Landrover 200TDi 300TDi Brass Blanking & Bleed Plug Set on eBay (end time 10-May-11 21:31:20 BST)

Thanks for that MHM!

Took of the side bit thats connected to the housing (not sure what the correct name for it is):


Then found that my thermostat is pretty much non existent; not sure what to do with this:





Stuck some tissue in it to prevent any crap from falling in.

Used a very small screw driver to break the plastic bit to bits by tapping it with a hammer; then tapped the big bits out with a larger screwdriver.
Easy peasy



Then put the new plug back on (not sure if it's the right one but it works) and put everything back together:



Problem solved

Thanks again everyone for the comments; much appreciated as always

Glad yu got them quick

Dont forget, when yu fit a new thermostat to make sure the little bleed hole is at the top, to allow any air to bleed through it.
Yup, thats the best one to fit to the thermostat housing as its the highest point and will trap the air. Yu can bleed it with that when the system is hot and pressurised. The blanking plug is best fitted into the radiator.

The Mad Hat Man said:

Glad yu got them quick

Dont forget, when yu fit a new thermostat to make sure the little bleed hole is at the top, to allow any air to bleed through it.
Yup, thats the best one to fit to the thermostat housing as its the highest point and will trap the air. Yu can bleed it with that when the system is hot and pressurised. The blanking plug is best fitted into the radiator.

Click to expand...

Sorted, thanks mate
So can I leave the thermostat as it is or should I fit a new one?

i wud fit a new one - dont loose the rubber sealing ring.

Ya might want to fit a thermostat while your at it, It makes the heater work and it will improve your mpg.

kuunder90 said:

Received my new plugs today so got cracking when I got home:
Landrover 200TDi 300TDi Brass Blanking & Bleed Plug Set on eBay (end time 10-May-11 21:31:20 BST)

Click to expand...

Did you get that from a plumbers merchant? Its a domestic radiator bleed valve They are the same fitting and do work, just don't pay over the odds thinking its a special upgrade for the TDI engine.

The Mad Hat Man said:

i wud fit a new one - dont loose the rubber sealing ring.

Click to expand...

waldershelf said:

Ya might want to fit a thermostat while your at it, It makes the heater work and it will improve your mpg.

Click to expand...

Thanks both, will order one tomorrow!

waldershelf said:

Did you get that from a plumbers merchant? Its a domestic radiator bleed valve They are the same fitting and do work, just don't pay over the odds thinking its a special upgrade for the TDI engine.

Click to expand...

I had a feeling it was; it looks a bit out of place but I like the idea of having the bleed valve as it makes bleeding the system nice and easy

kuunder90 said:

Wow thanks all for the quick replies!
Well impressed; MHM answered within a minute lol

And thanks MHM, will order them tonight!

Click to expand...

He doesn't get out much.....

Just a quick update on this.
Got the new thermostat through the door the other day so I fitted it yesterday:





I can hardly believe how much of a difference this has made to my heating
Gets very nice and toasty now; should have checked this before last winter really.

Thanks again all.