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How to Replace the Thermostat on a Volkswagen Golf

Model: Volkswagen Golf Golf IV, MK 4, Golf 4 - Years 1997-2003
Part: Thermostat

Learn how to replace the thermostat on a Volkswagen Golf. The thermostat is used to maintain temperature. It is a spring valve that can fail by remaining open or closed. The spring valve costs less than £15, while the complete thermostat is around £50 on major e-commerce platforms. Before starting work, ensure the car is cold. It would be much easier to do the job by removing the wheel, but for safety, the YouTuber prefers to do it with the car on the ground. Remove the wheel arch liner; there are five screws plus two. Spray some penetrating oil on the clamps of the hose to separate it from the radiator. Removing the hose will cause fluid loss, so prepare a container to collect the fluid, which you will then dispose of at an authorised centre. When removing the screws from the thermostat flange, be careful; they are long screws and may break. When you remove the flange, ensure the gasket is inside; otherwise, you will need to retrieve it. Refit the thermostat and then the flange, then reattach the clamp on the hose and insert the hose onto the flange outlet without over-tightening. Now, refill the coolant by mixing it with deionised water and pour it into its reservoir. Bleed any excess air by squeezing the hose you worked on. Close the cap. Now all that’s left is to refit the wheel arch liner, and the job is complete.

Updated on 29 June 2026 by ScegliAuto

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by ScegliAuto

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