Replacing KV6 Thermostat - (Keyhole Method)

[gazcaz]

Thanks ps3000 i do it some how.

[tantallon]

Any Advice on this Keyhole or not That is the question

[genpk]

Just buy one of Kaisers metal thermostats and never need to worry about it again

[kaiser]

He he, I think I owe you a beer, or three!
If ever you come to these shores, visit!

[BruceH]

Hi guys,
I have just spent hours changing thermostat, not too much trouble removing or refitting using the 'keyhole' method. It wasn't leaking but thermostat stuck open and so not warming up properly. Did not remove battery, huge hands, long 1/4" extension and UJ for 10mm bolt. Plenty of waggling to get the bent pipe out but didn't break it. I was confused about how and where to fit the plastic clips accurately - if it matters, so I just swapped the O rings and used the old straight pipe. Greased up with silicone grease all went in no trouble BUT Where the heck does the odd three spade electrical connector plug go? I am sure I disconnected it but have spent hours trying to find a socket for it and failed. It is under the throttle housing. The three plugs are in the housing but this one is beneath it with about eight inches length of cable.
Anyone know where I should have plugged it? I filled coolant and it seems to run and drive fine disconnected. Baffles me!
Cheers, Bruce.

[Arctic]

Hi Bruce
Do you have a photo of it or can you see it in the link below.
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...1&postcount=27

[kaiser]

From memory!
There is a spare connector in most cars for traction control lying unused (not connected) on top of the gearbox.

[SD1too]

Hello Bruce and to the club.

Originally Posted by BruceH

I was confused about how and where to fit the plastic clips accurately ....

You're not the only one. They should both be pushed outwards so that they are in close contact with the water pump and thermostat housings. This procedure ensures that the whole fitted assembly is rigid.

When you refilled the cooling system Bruce I hope that you raised the expansion tank and used the bleeding screw before starting the engine.

Simon

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Hello Bruce and to the club.

You're not the only one. They should both be pushed outwards so that they are in close contact with the water pump and thermostat housings. This procedure ensures that the whole fitted assembly is rigid.

When you refilled the cooling system Bruce I hope that you raised the expansion tank and used the bleeding screw before starting the engine.

Simon

Hi SD, thanks for that. No I didn't refill properly and heater went cold on a short run. I just wanted to check that it ran ok with that plug disconnected and there were no leaks. As I mentioned I reused the old straight pipe but with new O rings rather than try to manipulate the clips in situ.

ARCTIC. Thanks, I did scour all photos I could find that might have shown it but never saw it. It is the same type that goes into the top right hand side of the throttle body, three flat blades and a sprung wire retaining clip.

KAISER. Thanks, perhaps that is it and I needn't worry but I think I did pull it off from somewhere and it looks too clean to have been dangling free for years.

I found the notes (https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=235300) for the easy method of bleeding and topping up the KV6 where you blow into the expansion tank with the little pipe off, which worked like a charm
All seems good now - apart from that odd connector, which is a puzzle.

[timon]

Thank you for this tutorial. It seems to be faster than the other method where you have to take the intake manifold off. Unfortunately my kit came with wrong pipes which are too long so I'm at a halt, otherwise this is certainly doable within 2 hours orso.