Want some Crack?! Get you high?!

Post by **Rennwagen1** » Aug Sun 10, 2008 9:37 pm

I am going to replace my thermostat housing, low temp thermostat, thermostat cover, low temp fan switch, and crack pipe on the Jetta before I head to Billings in a couple of weeks. Anyone have any experience with this? I have a bently (I do RTFM) but I was just looking for personal experience. Bueller!?

Post by **vrtpassat** » Aug Mon 11, 2008 2:25 pm

i have a good idea on how it all goes together you can see all of it really well when the head is off

Post by **VR6NH** » Aug Tue 12, 2008 4:11 pm

Working on mine right now... so far a pain in the ass. This kind of helps but a lot of it applies to the mk4 generation specifically. Even though its the same motor, some of the pluming and component placement is different which makes the instruction somewhat confusing. Im going to post a few pictures on vortex right now. Will keep you posted.

Post by **VR6NH** » Aug Tue 12, 2008 4:11 pm

Sorry. This is the link I was referring to. Im sure you saw it if you bought your pipe from Gruven Parts.

http://gruvenparts.com/website/diys/cra ... lation.htm

Post by **Rennwagen1** » Aug Tue 12, 2008 9:42 pm

Yeah, I have a Bentley also, so i will be reading that also. Thanks for the link. I got my pipe from getcoolparts.com I just got an OEM one, as I don't think my original one is bad, but I am going to change it anyway. I figure that is lasted 130k + so with the car getting less than 3000miles a year, an OEM one should do my just fine.

You ever have any problems with your cruise control? Mine has been intermittent in the last while.....

Post by **thetwodubheads** » Aug Tue 12, 2008 10:55 pm

All I really know is it is in your best interest to pull the front of the car off. It can be done with everything in place, but it is a lot easier to do with it gone. At that point it's just parts swapping.

Post by **Rennwagen1** » Aug Tue 12, 2008 11:22 pm

Yeah, I am trying to not have to do that, but I guess I have plenty of time, so I may do it that way.....

Post by **VR6NH** » Aug Wed 13, 2008 12:47 am

Yes. I pulled my bumper, grill, lights, re-bar, rad support, and unbolted the driver side of my radiator. Removing these parts was probably the less tedious part of the project.

The best way to access the thermostat housing, pluming, crack pipe, etc is from the driver side(this will make more sense when you're working on the car). Having the driver side of the radiator disconnected has allowed me to swing the radiator out while using the passenger side as a pivot point. Rest the lower-driver side radiator mount on a jack stand and this will give you a little more room.

Next is disconnecting any wiring that might be in the way.. pretty straight forward. Just remember where it goes. The three main sensors are color coded. Removing the outer thermostat housing will free the driver side portion of the crack pipe (two 5mm allen bolts highlighted in red). There are a couple clips and the oil-cooler line attached to the pipe itself. Be sure to disconnect. This is the point I have reached. For some reason I cannot pull the crack pipe from the block itself. I will give a greater effort tomorrow.

From what I hear, installing the new pipe is the most difficult task as you cannot see the portion of the block that you are pushing the crack pipe into. The fact that it sits at a slight angle messes with the eye even more. This is most certainly the reason people have removed the smog pump as it covers a great portion of the crack pipe. With the smog pump removed, you can see more, but Im not sure how much more... will post updates tomorrow or thursday.

Cheers.

Post by **Rennwagen1** » Aug Wed 13, 2008 9:15 am

Thanks! I have replaced the thermostat houding before, and I really think that is the problem this time also, but I am replacing the crak pipe also for good measure. I should have my parts today(should of had them yesterday

) and I think I will start teardown tonight..

Post by **VR6NH** » Aug Thu 14, 2008 5:01 pm

Get started on that yet? I ordered a new thermostat housing with all the essentials as well. Figured Id do it right the first time. Let me know how thats working for ya. I cant get my pipe out... thing wont move!!