Trying to replace the thermostat, which appeared it was going to be easy. Well, apparently when jaguar replaced it last time they stripped the bottom bolt. And it's in such a PITA location I'm not sure what to do.

 

Is the bolt stuck in there or it will it not thread back in? Or is the head rounded off?

 

sorry i really wanted to use that one... hehehe

If you take a pic with the cell it'd be easier to help. if the head is rounded of then you can try banging in a smaller socket and try cracking it that way. If the head broke off time for some drilling :/ as a mechanic I can say I've been there and I feel the pain!

 

they're torx style head bolts if im not mistaken... so the inside pattern is stripped i take it...?

 

Get a bigger size torx and tap it in with a hammer. Or you can try a vice grips.

 

Yes.

And the problem with trying to tap in a bigger size is there really isn't any room. My fingers can barely get to it, much less swing a hammer.

I'll just link to someone else's thermostat pic. There's a 3rd bolt (the stripped one) on the bottom, underneath the pipe.
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/a...tathousing.jpg

 

I think you are in luck??

That entire piece is fairly easy to remove from the car. I would stop trying to fix it and take the entire assembly off the car. It is MUCH easier to fix a messed up bolt when you can get to it!!

Just be glad you have an STR because the regular 4.2L uses all plastic in this area and it turns to oatmeal after about 8-10 years or so.



I would use some carefully applied heat and try to grab the head with a pair of vise grips. Should come right off!
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Great pic!

 

Yes the internet is a wonderful thing!
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I managed to get it off, with about 16" of extensions for a of 1/4" ratchet, the only thing thin enough to squeeze in there at a decent angle. (after I removed the airbox)

Fortunately, I checked this forum before I started. I'm so used to going to the dealership for parts since autozone doesn't carry half the stuff for this car, I never checked with them for a thermostat until someone mentioned $12. So yea, the $60 one is going back to jaguar.


In an unrelated matter, I've had a cylinder misfiring and noticed oil on that plug which prompted me a few weeks ago to ask about replacing the valve cover gasket and O rings. The plug next to it looked ok. Well today I decided to check all of them and wow I think the leak is worse that I expected.

I could see some oil down in here when I pulled the airbox out:
http://zimnox.com/jaguar/oil.jpg

Here's how much oil I found on one of the plugs:
http://zimnox.com/jaguar/plugoil.jpg

Here's the worst coil I found:
http://zimnox.com/jaguar/coil.jpg

 

I am in the same pickle. Question though, where do I get a new bolt?

 

Plenty of places will supply bolts, even the dealer in many cases.