The Evil Snap Ring Colouring Book
07-30-2008, 12:23 PM
#32
Pro
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, I considered pulling the waterpump, but I understand that involves doing the timing belt as well, and that would have turned what was supposed to be a small job into a big one.
It's pretty unusual to need to do just the thermostat, but mine was clearly letting the engine get too hot before it kicked on. I think it may have just been defective, because it was fairly new; the last owner did put in a new pump about 6000 miles ago, and it was quite clean and shiny when I got it out, but incredibly stiff.
Anyway, I replaced it with one rated at 160 F (instead of the stock 180), and everything runs much cooler now.
It's pretty unusual to need to do just the thermostat, but mine was clearly letting the engine get too hot before it kicked on. I think it may have just been defective, because it was fairly new; the last owner did put in a new pump about 6000 miles ago, and it was quite clean and shiny when I got it out, but incredibly stiff.
Anyway, I replaced it with one rated at 160 F (instead of the stock 180), and everything runs much cooler now.
07-30-2008, 02:28 PM
#33
The Lisle LIS72500 helped me get the snap ring out with the pump in the car. Much better than pliers.
The only downside is the the tool wasn't made to remove inside snap rings, so it's weaker in that direction. You may need to replace the crummy washer with a circlip to hold the tool together.
The only downside is the the tool wasn't made to remove inside snap rings, so it's weaker in that direction. You may need to replace the crummy washer with a circlip to hold the tool together.
07-30-2008, 03:24 PM
#35
Instructor
In mechanics creativity and endurance is directly proportional to tools/equipment.
If I had the exact set of snap ring pliers for that app, pliers with prongs so far reaching as to not hit the end of the thermostat, I could extract that snap ring while the car straddled a culvert, at night, in a rain storm using a lighter, hahaha. The thermostat housing, the deep location of the ring (12mm in my pump) and the thermostat itself just make for a perfect storm for most common pliers. It's like most things the first time. I spent 2 hours looking for pliers and 2 minutes poking at the thing.
If I had the exact set of snap ring pliers for that app, pliers with prongs so far reaching as to not hit the end of the thermostat, I could extract that snap ring while the car straddled a culvert, at night, in a rain storm using a lighter, hahaha. The thermostat housing, the deep location of the ring (12mm in my pump) and the thermostat itself just make for a perfect storm for most common pliers. It's like most things the first time. I spent 2 hours looking for pliers and 2 minutes poking at the thing.
07-30-2008, 07:08 PM
#36
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
It also helps to have the right tools (I probably didn't), and to be on a lift (I wasn't), but that ring was fierce was any standards.
07-30-2008, 07:16 PM
#37
In mechanics creativity and endurance is directly proportional to tools/equipment.
If I had the exact set of snap ring pliers for that app, pliers with prongs so far reaching as to not hit the end of the thermostat, I could extract that snap ring while the car straddled a culvert, at night, in a rain storm using a lighter, hahaha. The thermostat housing, the deep location of the ring (12mm in my pump) and the thermostat itself just make for a perfect storm for most common pliers. It's like most things the first time. I spent 2 hours looking for pliers and 2 minutes poking at the thing.
If I had the exact set of snap ring pliers for that app, pliers with prongs so far reaching as to not hit the end of the thermostat, I could extract that snap ring while the car straddled a culvert, at night, in a rain storm using a lighter, hahaha. The thermostat housing, the deep location of the ring (12mm in my pump) and the thermostat itself just make for a perfect storm for most common pliers. It's like most things the first time. I spent 2 hours looking for pliers and 2 minutes poking at the thing.
You know, I've seen a few people saying that. I've come to the conclusion that not all of these rings and pumps are precisely the same in this detail.
It also helps to have the right tools (I probably didn't), and to be on a lift (I wasn't), but that ring was fierce was any standards.
It also helps to have the right tools (I probably didn't), and to be on a lift (I wasn't), but that ring was fierce was any standards.
07-30-2008, 10:11 PM
#38
Nordschleife Master
It also depends on what direction the snap ring is turned.
Most people with common intelligence put the snap ring back in facing either straight up or straight down, so you can get at it.
My PO has sub-ape intelligence (based on several "fixes" he's made to my car...and I find more all the time). He installed the snap ring with the opening facing the front of the car. So, any snap ring pliers I used would hit the frame rail, or the radiator. It took me hours to find/make the "correct" tool....and then 20sec to get it out, and back in.
Most people with common intelligence put the snap ring back in facing either straight up or straight down, so you can get at it.
My PO has sub-ape intelligence (based on several "fixes" he's made to my car...and I find more all the time). He installed the snap ring with the opening facing the front of the car. So, any snap ring pliers I used would hit the frame rail, or the radiator. It took me hours to find/make the "correct" tool....and then 20sec to get it out, and back in.
07-31-2008, 01:59 AM
#39
Rennlist Member
Yeah mine was facing towards the front too, and I ended up cutting the end off my snap ring pliers just so I could fit them in there.
I made sure to face is straight down this time.
I made sure to face is straight down this time.
