ECR Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Having collected Bruce Robinsons R400 with its new owner yesterday We need to fit a thermostat (Bruce ran on trackdays without one) as it is taking a little too long to warm up fo road use. Presumably it is housed in the plastic moulding beneath the throttle bodies ? Whats the best approach to fitting ? it all looks a bit tight down there .... are there any shortcuts ? Anyone have a Halfords part number to hand ? What a spectaculary nice car the R400 is. It feels a lot more refined than my VX (it is less highly tuned though I suppose). I think I prefer it to the R500 on initial impressions.... Ex Chairman Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Scott Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hi Roger, When I changed the hoses over to silicon on my SLR (not R400) I had to take the induction manifold off to get to the water pump / thermostat housing. It’s a bit of a pain but there’s no other way to get to it. Cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWoodham Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 depending on your TBs, the stat housing is a pain to get to. taking the whole housing out intact, then splitting it on the bench to get the stat in is often the best way. Martin Aero'd supersported ex-Roadsports B...anyone got a cheap LSD? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Day Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Roger I've only changed my thermostat once & that was with the engine out. However I do wonder whether it would be easier to access the housing from underneath ? Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davef Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I recently changed the stat in my R400: - I bought the replacement stat from eliseparts - next day delivery and had the temp I wanted (82). - I removed the housing without disturbing the TBs. The housing, plus J hose and heater hose still attached, just squeezes out towards the rear of the car if - and only if - you move the dry sump hose out of the way (I disconnected mine and removed it from the car) - Once on the bench you can easily strip the two hoses off and split the housing. - Fitting is obvious the reverse - remembering to attach the heater hose before pushing the housing back into the block (otherwise there's not enough room because of the scavenge pump) - Be prepared for a lot of swearing, bruises and grazes. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nifty Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 🙆🏻 I meant to check to see if I had one in before installing the engine. Another cock up ❗ Keep off the straight and narrow 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian M Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I went from an 88º to a 74º, as Dave says you can do it in situ but it's a bugger of a job. Ade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Richard Price Posted April 20, 2007 Area Representative Share Posted April 20, 2007 Roger, an expensive alternative is to fit a remote 'stat like this here, from QED. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted April 20, 2007 Author Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hmmmm I think I favour removing the throttle bodies and attacking from above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark w Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Dont bother removing the TBs you can do it without .I have split the platic thermostat housing twice ( left the stubby bit in the block to avoid damaging the seal ) to change stats , you need to access from below.Dont do it on a day when you have left your patience elsewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers1 Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Hi Roger Its a complete B******d of a simple job. I would highly recommend fitting the QED remote stat. Both Mark Durant and I have run this successfully since the begining of last year. Changing the stat is not a job to be done twice. I you really want to keep the original set up then I suggest undoing the engine mounts and remove the off side one completely as it will snag on the steering column when you jack up the engine by a good few inches. This gives better access to insert a long flexible socket set under the rollers and above the dry sump pump. I can be done! I got fed up of doing it after a replacement stat failed. Go the QED route!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 QED. *thumbup* R500 260 BHP Mango Madness CAR NO-37 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWoodham Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 an alternative to the QED setup is to fit a PRRT from the Freelander kit - about £50 ish. Search techtalk for PRRT, you'll get a couple of posts and some detailed links about it. PRRT= pressure relief remote thermostat. The stat has a much bigger bypass and will open even if too cold if the block pressure gets excessive. It also avoids having to remove the existing stat housing, if the stat has been taken out. I've got one but not fitted it yet, reports are that it works a treat. Martin Aero'd supersported ex-Roadsports B...anyone got a cheap LSD? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lynch Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 here for SELOC's Wiki Might just do this on my old 1.4. Never got above 65°C the other night and I'm sick of using Gaffer Tape 😬 1.4K SS 😬 EN Yorks Se7ens 'You've got be in it to lose it !' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWoodham Posted April 20, 2007 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I hadn't seen the SELOC link David - good stuff. Also didn't realise the different stat temps, 87 or 82 deg. Other threads on BC and sites linked to don't mention this, and the part numbers refereced are all for the 87 deg stat. Don't know if it's an issue, I know if 1 200bhp car running on an 87deg stat. Martin Aero'd supersported ex-Roadsports B...anyone got a cheap LSD? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nifty Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 Just removed thermostat housing to confirm that there is no thermostat in it. What an 🙆🏻 of a job ❗ ❗ Keep off the straight and narrow 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CageyH Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 Aren't you supposed to be out in a field I agree, it is a pain in the 🙆🏻 to do. QED stat looks like a good solution, but does this increase the chance of thermalshock to the head etc? Only dead fish go with the flow....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nifty Posted April 22, 2007 Share Posted April 22, 2007 Just spent ages reading threads about the PRRT. Now I'm completely confused ❗ ❗ Keep off the straight and narrow 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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