How do I get to the 'stat on a Vectra C?

**heraldsteve** · 18th November 2010, 11:58

I need to change the thermostat on my 2006 1.9 diesel vectra C but there is another component in the way (possibly some sort of heat exchanger?) which prevents me from removing the thermostat. It's bolted to one the thermostat fixings but even with that undone I can't see what else is holding it or how this unit is removed as visibility is not very good. I can see two clamps but even with these slackened off the unit still feels solid. Can anyone advise?

**I cdti** · 18th November 2010, 14:03

Guess you have the 8v...what a pig of a job for a thermostat!

It's the EGR cooler in the way, from memory it's held on by a nut that's fixed to the stud holding the thermostat in place. With the 2 clamps off the cooler you should be able to position it enough to access the thermostat stud.

**john1** · 18th November 2010, 14:15

there is one poxy bolt at the back just above the starter motor that needs to be undone which holds a bracket in place that's attached to the back of the heat exchanger, once this is removed you can just move it around enough to get the thermostat out. it is a stupid design though.

Good luck, it took me a full sunday morning.

**heraldsteve** · 18th November 2010, 17:27

Thanks for the pointers, it will be a few days before I can try again but I'll let you know how I get on.

**heraldsteve** · 22nd November 2010, 09:40

Job's done! It was a pig of a job and took me over 4 hours and I ended up with bachache through leaning over the bonnet for so long, not to mention knuckles (oops, I have mentioned them now!).

John1, you were right about the bolt above the starter motor, only in my case there were two of them.

I like my Vectra and have had several of them, and the amount of engineering that's gone in to them is unbelievable, but they're definately not a home mechanics car.

**john1** · 24th November 2010, 22:22

glad you got it done mate, it's satisfying though to see the temp gauge working once done though isn' it.

**barney490** · 24th November 2010, 23:32

For future reference for other 120 owners changing the thermostat, get yourselves a vacuum pump to cam housing gasket from the stealers and remove the vac pump. It's held on by three ribe bolts (a torx 50 will undo them) and with it out of the way, it makes it a heck of alot easier to access the the thermostat area.