Hi all.

I'm ashamed to admit this, but this my first coolant change since
doing this swap.
I mention that as installing the thermostat on the ABA engine is slightly tricky
and I obviously haven't done it many times. Twice really.
Regardless, the Calorstat thermostat I bought seemed to make the job harder.

Has anyone had issues with QC or design on Calorstat thermostats?

Vendor said this part fit several other vehicles. e.g. Volvo.
It c/w several different gaskets. In no way could I get the coolant elbow,
thermostat, and O ring gasket installed without seeing a very slight
leak. There was no leak prior. (e.g. coolant elbow wasn't deformed by
heat). Just adding 2 litres of coolant mix would cause a leak at elbow
to coolant pump. I swapped out the elbow but I think re-installing the
old thermostat did the trick. No leaks so far.

I measured the old thermostat against new. Very little difference in
what I measured. But.
The raised edge that meets with the O ring is different. Image:

http://tinyurl.com/zbycor8

Raised part on edge of old thermostat is narrower.

Positioning the elbow, O ring, thermostat "dry" on bench, the raised
edge on the Calorstat part felt like it was causing the O ring to slip
during install and torquing of fasteners.

At least that's my theory and I'm sticking to it.    ;)   lol.

And apparently, I have too much time on my hands. Again, lol.

Neil.

--
Neil n

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