Mk3 Golf Overheating - Thermostat Change?

[PaleAssassin]

Hi all, Having looked through a good few of these threads relating to mk3's overheating or running hot, none seem to come to a definitive answer or let me know how an if their problems were solved. Therefor sorry if this is a bit of a repeat thread..

Here goes! My '92 Mk3 Golf 1.8 Cl is running hot. It tends to rise quite quickly and sits at just over 100 until I encounter traffic, at which point it runs to about 110 before the fan cuts in.

So far I've bridged the fan connection to make sure it runs properly, it does on both high an low speed although it is a lil rattley, there appears to be a bit of excess movement from the fan but nothing too excessive i think.

I've changed the Fan Switch too as I've seen it mentioned several times but that hasn't made any difference.

The thermostat seems to be the obvious next step and this is where I've hit a wall. I'm pretty sure I can see the housing (connected to lower radiator hose). However getting to it is proving to be a major pain in my already numb backside! From what other threads I've read - its the power steering pump in the way preventing me getting near the thermostat housing. Any help on how to gain access would be hugely appreciated!



I presume the red box is the thermostat location.. and where the green box is I think its one of the bolts I need to undo however the black bar is preventing getting any tools to it! Any ideas and general help would be appreciated!