Thermostat Flange Thingy? Some Kinking...

[commievid 8]

Hi all,

 

Have just got my 205 GTI6 back from a head gasket change, which ended up being a head repair too due to some corrosion on one of the waterways. Cost a bit more than I would like, but perhaps cheaper in the long run.

 

Whilst being done, I also got them to install the BakerBM silicone coolant hoses, makes sense to do it then given the coolant is drained.

 

Done a nice job, but just wanted to know if anyone else has encountered this for the thermostat housing to radiator hose:

 

 

It just looks a little uncomfortable to my liking:

 

 

It's not blocked up, so just wanted some reassurance this will be ok. Is there some other thermostat housing outlet that is more at a 90 degree bend, for want of a description. This is with a flange I bought off eBay which is attached to the BakerBM adapter, didn't want to use the GTI6 one as it was starting to look a little less cylindrical.

 

Another question, was that I was advised that although there is power steering, it doesn't seem to be assisting, possibly suggesting the pump is dead? Any way to tell at all?

 

Looking at it, I would like to think it's possible to have a go at replacing the pump myself, but it appears that the manifold might need taking off. Is that absolutely necessary?

[dcc 855]

wrong flange

[commievid 8]

Thought as much. Any part number or directions?

 

*Edit*

 

Ok, looks like the correct flange is actually 1337.84, NFP?

Edited June 17, 2015 by commievid

[jackherer 543]

We covered them recently here: http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?showtopic=163792

[commievid 8]

So it looks like drama for this part then.

 

Bah.

[cheesegrater 43 1 Cars]

I think I may have one kicking about if required.

[dcc 855]

Plenty of them about. Iirc 8v xu10 and xu9 and xu5 all had them, plenty in scrap yards etc...

[welshpug 1,657]

theres a few different angles as you have found.

[Anthony 1,003]

Plenty of them about. Iirc 8v xu10 and xu9 and xu5 all had them, plenty in scrap yards etc...

They do, but the diameter of the flange where it mates with the thermostat housing changed around 91/92 ish so they're not really interchangable.

[farmer 328 1 Cars]

I have a couple of new ones I think.

 

If you are completely stuck will sell one if I have two, but only if you are stuck as they are quite scarce

[commievid 8]

Will keep on the look out, thanks all.

[commievid 8]

Ok, the second question was about the power steering on a GTI6. I've always assumed it would be heavy because that's how it's been with this car, but could it be possible that a power steering pump appears to pump fluid but has actually failed?

 

I would have thought the weight of the steering would be akin to an actual 306 GTI6, so lighter than it currently is. This is now starting to get me concerned that I've actually been driving this car for a few years with no actual power steering, despite all the gubbins being there!

 

Could be an excuse to get a Xsara VTS rack on there, I guess.

[Anthony 1,003]

GTi-6 PAS shouldn't be heavy - it's not super-light like many modern cars and retains decent weighing, but certainly it's noticeably assisted.

 

If you've no assistance at all, it could be a pump or rack fault.

 

Does the steering lighten at all with the engine running compared to with the engine stopped?

 

It could also be that the PAS is working, but you've something else that's partly seized that's making the steering heavy - UJ, top mount bearings, upper column etc. That should be obvious enough as the steering should be very very heavy with the engine off if that's the case.

[jackherer 543]

PAS pumps can fail, see this thread - http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?showtopic=164005&hl=

[commievid 8]

Thanks for that, don't have any of the tools to test the pump in that manner.

 

More simpler test: took the front wheels off the ground, and then proceeded to go lock to lock akin to bleeding the system. There's flow to/from the reservoir, but one thing I noticed was no noise when at full lock. Even when leaving it at full lock for a few seconds, I would expect some sort of noise from the pump? I usually experience some whirring noise with other cars when changing the fluid.

 

Maybe it's so far gone that there's no noise anymore at all.

 

Wheels down, work out going lock to lock. Engine off, same. Bugger.

[jackherer 543]

It definitely sounds like it's failed somewhere but without a pressure tester you can't tell if it is the pump or the ram and/or associated valves on the rack.

[Anthony 1,003]

You must have arms like Popeye if you've been driving that around for ages with the PAS bits on but not working

 

If you can't source one locally, I've got a known good GTi-6 PAS pump (removed a few weeks back from my own engine as the buyer wanted it non-PAS) and a couple of 205/309 PAS racks here that worked fine when removed.

[commievid 8]

Yeah I feel like a right muppet because it could well be a couple of years!

 

I'll try the pump first and see how I get on, just a cheap one on the way, I think that can be swapped without too much drama, I'd prefer a Xsara VTS rack if I was going to make the effort of changing the rack, but we'll see.

 

Thanks all!

[commievid 8]

Hi all,

 

Not really about the flange anymore, that'll be something I'll sort out whenever.

 

Just got a replacement pump from that internet auction site, replaced the existing one, and initially felt better.

 

I had the feeling this was just the placebo effect, and unfortunately, when idle and at a standstill, the car's steering feels no more different when the engine is on or off.

 

Could well be another dud pump, for sure, but the only thing is the rack, it is possible for the rack to work but it's internals be worn out I guess?

 

I'll stick a wanted post in a moment in the evening.

 

As an aside. Given the rack is going to replaced, is it worth the effort of acquiring a Xsara VTS rack? A phase 1 looks to be a straight swap, the Phase 2 would be if the pipes are retained (should be the same routing?) and both would need new track rods and ends? Or just ends? Any rack would probably have the ends replaced at least.

 

Depends on whether I can find the apropriate bits of course. I believe my non-PAS universal joint has been kept for such an occasion.

Edited June 23, 2015 by commievid

[Anthony 1,003]

The VTS rack is great on a 205, although some people are asking silly prices for them nowadays.

 

For a Ph2 VTS rack you'll need the matching pipework, but yes, routing is the same as the Ph1.

 

In both cases, you'll need to replace the track rods. The TRE's are the same as 205/309, but might as well replace them unless they're nearly-new already.

 

Whilst still comparatively weighty compared to modern systems, the steering should be very obviously lighter with the engine running on a PAS equipped car - no way you'd mistake it for a placebo.

[commievid 8]

An update.

 

Recieved the power steering rack nice and sound, but boy I struggled to get it swapped. Everything just seemed to be just the wrong side of inaccessible, so it was a huge fumbling about with shifting the rack sideways to get clearance to undo pipe fixings, then some severe drama with the lower UJ simply not wanting to mate with the steering column. Hopefully it doesn't all fall apart.

 

Just topped it up with fluid and got it lock to lock a few times, then again with the engine on. Although the car is up in the air with no wheels, doesn't feel like much difference. Maybe I'll update again with the tyres on the ground and hope for the best. I simply don't want to do that again.

 

Will spend the weekend sorting out the new coolant flange, fingers crossed that'll go more smoothly.