1991 jetta thermostat

[freeon/neon]

Is the only way to replace the thermostat to take the bottom end of the car apart, I have a 1991 jetta with power steering,a/c,and the car is a stick shift. I had to drop the power sterring pump and the swing the bracket for it just to be able able to get to thermo- and then I didnt get it seated right and its leaking so I have to tear it back apart.

[freeon/neon]

I replaced the thermostat and the high temp light is still coming on.Also when the car runs it starts spitting the water anti-freeze out of the overflow bottle. Replaced most of the coolant pipes. The engine is not overheating.

[zeek1403]

This may be a case of an air bubble trapped in the system. I would reccomend taking to a shop and having them try to get it out. As for the stupid light, you probably have a bad sensor on your overflow.

[freeon/neon]

I replaced he overflow bottle because I thaought I had a cracked bottle. I was told to flush the radiator. Is there some way to pressure flush the whole systeme myself.

[zeek1403]

There should be. I don't know how to do it b/c my friend did it for me with all of his VW knowledge. I would ask your local shops.

[Doug Tatham]

You can buy a flushing kit from most auto parts places or department stores, but I strongly recommend against it. You have to cut into the heater hose and you're just inviting a coolant leak. If the thermostat isn't opening when it should, the coolant will heat above the boiling point for the given pressure and it will flow into the reservoir. Also, if the pressure cap fails you will get the same symptom because the water is above boiling at atmospheric pressure. Check your radiation cap.

[veedubmechanic]

you sure you didnt put the thermostat in backwards? people that arent totally fimiliar sometimes acidentally put it in backwards ( might be why the flange didnt seat properly )

[freeon/neon]

Yeah I put it in the same way it came out with the spring part in the water pump housing. this car doesnt have a radiator cap I looked for it. going to try to take top and bottom hoses off and flush radiator with garden house and hope it flushes it. Next step is to take it somewhere and have the whole system pressure flushed. Its gotta be blocked somewhere. Would a wet dry vac maybe remove air bubbles from system.

[freeon/neon]

Well i was told to drill a 1/8 inch hole in my thermostat where the flat ring is and that lets the air through and aslo keeps the car running cooler what do you think?