Thermostat

Anyone have tips for getting to the thermostat housing hex key bolts? I’ve been struggling with it all morning


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I know this is coming late, but I figure I can answer this for posterity sake. Not sure if this applies to CCTA engines as I have CBFA. I was able to get the hex bolt out by taking a hex key and cutting the 90 degree leg down. However, after I got the bolt out, I found that there wasn't enough room to pull the housing out. So in the end, I had to remove the water pump. If you've made it far enough to get to the hex, then removing the pump shouldn't be much more work. I was able to get it apart and back together without removing the intake manifold. The only thing I had issue with is the pulley for the belt. I couldn't get the bolt out. It's too tight for a socket, and you would really need a 6 point box end wrench to remove it. Or, the appropriate sized torx key with a short 90 degree leg.

FWIW, I replaced the whole pump when I had a thermostat go bad. I priced the thermostat and plastic housing, it was almost half the cost of the pump at the time. I was able to slide the belt off and back on without adjusting it.