Hey there JF people. I've been lurking and using the collective wisdom here to solve many issues with my car over the last several years without needing to reach out. But this time......

I give up. I'm stumped. I need to replace the thermostat and I can't get the right angle on the bottom of the three torx screws on the thermostat housing that holds the thermostat. Please see the attached photos. The screw is visible on the bottom of the housing.

As you can see, I've detached the upper radiator hose from the housing, as well as taken off the air inlet tubing that leads from the air filter to the intake manifold. I have several ujoints and extensions I've tried in different combinations to try to get a good angle around the convoluted aluminum housing.

I have read that some folks get at this screw from underneath. That seems even more daunting. HELP! Thanks in advance.
TK

 

Torx? I have normal bolts in there. (X308 though)

Access is not a problem using a 1/4 drive ratchet and socket or bit.

It would be a problem though if using a straight tool such as a nut driver.

 

Hi Plums. I've read that others have normal bolts in there, some older than mine, some newer. on my X350 XJR, the housing shape prevents unobstructed access to the bottom screw/bolt. The other two of the three screws are easy and are already out. I am patient. I spent over 2 hours trying to get an angle that would allow me to get leverage on that screw. When I get the torx fitting in the screw, the angle required gives me inadequate leverage to loosen it. I finally gave up.

I've tried a straight nut driver, a ratchet tool, ,and then a myriad of combinations with ujoints, extensions short and long,, etc. I even tried a 3 ujoint, 2 extension approach at one point.

 

This is the one that the bolt head snapped off on me so you really need to be careful.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...warned-105468/

Do you have any L-shaped Torx keys?

 

Take the business part of the required size torx bit, put it into the jaws
of a six inch pair of vise grips.

On the X308, referencing the picture in Cambo's post, I come in
from the front of the engine using a 3/8 inch drive ratchet by
feel. Never been a problem.

 

My 1/2in Torx bit would not get in there as well
I had to use a torx "Tbar"

Word of warning from the wise, make sure you don't drop the bolt. It took me 2 hours to locate it

Cheers
34by151

 

I don't, but i sure see how one could be useful. i might try to find some after I try plums' suggestion tomorrow. BTW, I carefully pored over the post you linked to before I got started. Thanks for that.

 

First stop tomorrow is to Lowe's for a right-angle Torx. Invaluable info as always. You guys are priceless.

 

Right angle Torx driver was ideal. The job was over in less than 20 minutes. Thanks again, all.

Oh, forgot to tell you that my suspicions were right on the money. The thermostat I removed (almost certainly the original) failed to open even a little when set into boiling water. She is back to normal temps and fan behaviors again.

 

The thermostat in mine was the same, didn't open at all in boiling water.

Glad you got it sorted without any broken bolts!

 

Sometimes you just have to use what you got and the more you got the better it is. Working on one of my other cars I needed something skinnier that a ratchet so I had to make this up and it worked. I used this set up and a box wrench to remove the bolt.

 

told ya' so.

if it is not too late, replace with regular head bolts for the next time.