andyfreelandy said:

Don't forget to change the 'O' ring to the coolant rail as it will surely fail when you have done the job and requires rail or pump removal to replace it !!

Also, say goodbye to any knuckles you still have !!
Happy Christmas

Click to expand...

LOL...
Do you mean the one where that bit of steel pipe pushes into the top of the thermostat housing? If so, I'm not sure where I'll find one of those! Plan is for me to go down there tomorrow...

Yes, top coolant rail to stat. OK well check it is in good condition then and treat it to a smear of gasket sealant.

andyfreelandy said:

Yes, top coolant rail to stat. OK well check it is in good condition then and treat it to a smear of gasket sealant.

Click to expand...

Meh... I've wimped-out and ordered another thermostat. This one was working fine, and was changed in 2019, but this is a job I really... REALLY never want to have to go near for the rest of the car's life!

So... that went well...

Spent all day Thursday at my dad's place. Took the thermostat out, took the water pump out, gave the pulley a twiddle and said: "er... dad... this feels OK to me...".

While he was examining it, I then decided to have a twiddle of the power steering pump and alternator pulleys. Yup, you guessed... Alternator absolutely mullered! Bearing collapsed to the point where the armature was hitting the insides of the alternator and locking up...

Both he and his mate were so convinced it was the water pump! I'm kicking myself for not having double-checked first. To be fair, 165,000 miles and there was a tiny bit of play in the water pump bearing, so as I'd already cashed-out for a new one, I fitted the new one.... and the new 'stat... I took the alternator off too, and he took it to a rebuild place, but they were just shutting-up for Christmas, so we abandoned play until he can either get it rebuilt or a recon. one.

Meanwhile, I think I'll get him a one-way ticket to Dignitas for Christmas...

Perseverance is to be rewarded !!
Hopefully, he understands he is a lucky chap to have help on tap ?!?
Alternator is also a naff job if the car has air con too.
Your reward will be great.....

Avocet1 said:

Spent all day Thursday at my dad's place. Took the thermostat out, took the water pump out, gave the pulley a twiddle and said: "er... dad... this feels OK to me...".

While he was examining it, I then decided to have a twiddle of the power steering pump and alternator pulleys. Yup, you guessed... Alternator absolutely mullered! Bearing collapsed to the point where the armature was hitting the insides of the alternator and locking up.

Click to expand...

What a PITA.

The alternator isn't much easier than the water pump, but at least you've now diagnosed it properly.

Edited for typo.

Thanks guys. At least the engine mounting bracket was already off for the alternator! I can't begrudge him this. All the hours he put in on various "sheds" that I ran when I was younger, helping me out with absolutely any job, this is payback now. I owe him that much...

Have a good Christmas, and thanks for the advice and encouragement!

Update: All sorted now. Did the waterpump and thermostat before Christmas, but he had to wait until after Christmas to get the alternator. That's all now fitted and everything's back together and working as it should. (I'll just wait for the crank damper to go now)! Thanks to all for the help and encouragement!