just bought a b5.5 2003 alt and need help please

[bower]

just picked it up last weekend (wish i hadnt!) and after a week of driving ive realise the thermostat is broke so need to be replaced, but imagine my horror when i start reading about having to put the car into service postions and what not :0 ive done loads of work myself on over cars like replacing stats alts etc but on this engine it looks scary.
the thermostat its self is a electronic one at a cost of £71 :0
so what im basically asking is does the front end have to really come off? does the alternator have to come off? or can it be done without doing all that?
thanks for any help

[Guest 2]

This thread suggests you don't need to take the front end off - Coolant temp just off dead centre top on guage? (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?126997-Coolant-temp-just-off-dead-centre-top-on-guage&highlight=alt+thermostat)

[bower]

cheers but thats a different engine

[Guest 2]

Ah sorry, I just searched 'alt thermostat' and just assumed .. oops :o

[bower]

lol no worries, yeah the alt is the engine code

[caldirun]

just picked it up last weekend (wish i hadnt!) and after a week of driving ive realise the thermostat is broke so need to be replaced, but imagine my horror when i start reading about having to put the car into service postions and what not :0 ive done loads of work myself on over cars like replacing stats alts etc but on this engine it looks scary.
the thermostat its self is a electronic one at a cost of £71 :0
so what im basically asking is does the front end have to really come off? does the alternator have to come off? or can it be done without doing all that?
thanks for any help

Service position just means sliding the lock carrier forward on studding (allthread or long bolts) once you have done it its a doddle (even easier if you take all the plastic covers off and put them in the shed until you sell the car)
The alternator is no problem to remove after or just drop the cooling fan down to remove the long bolt and service position is not required.

[bower]

cheers for the advice mate, have u got a guide of how to drop the cooling fan? that would be so much easier

[Doctle Odd]

You need to lock the fan there's a special tool you can get or I use an old torx. The fan is held with an allen bolt it's easy to get off. 23120

[bower]

dont get u lol, if its a allen bolt whats special tool for? sorry if im bein stupid lol

[caldirun]

dont get u lol, if its a allen bolt whats special tool for? sorry if im bein stupid lol

I have removed the fan by putting a spanner on the tensioner hex and increasing the belt tension while I unscrew the centre bolt from the fan bracket under the alternator, you can use mole grips to hold the belt to the pulley if it still slips but do not grip too hard as you will deform the pulley.

[Doctle Odd]

The special tool is for holding the fan pulley at the front, Caldirun's method works too as does mine