... all my wrenching is going wrong this week. I had to put my coolant flush on pause because of weather, and resumed today ... well, the t-stat housing will not budge. I swear I've got all the bolts out. Is this a common issue? Or am I just totally missing something here? How can I loosen it so I can remove the t-stat for flushing purposes? I don't want to damage the housing.
Maybe it's me, but it seems like there's just always something. Such is life, eh?
Edit to add: This is the 240D. Details, details ...

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

If all the screws are removed, just hit it with a rubber mallet. It's stuck to the gasket face.

Thanks BC. I always hesitate to hit things with a rubber mallet until someone here gives me the go-ahead.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Agreed with Brian...but do it verrrrry carefully. Especially if the wrong coolant had ever been used, the walls of the housing can be pretty thin and fragile.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

This is very true, one one of my 240D cars, whunter had to help me find a replacement thermostat nhousing.

Maybe there's a market for these things as new parts, they seem to dissolve pretty often

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Well ... the housing is off ... but now the t-stat itself won't come out. Either the gasket has disintegrated, or the PO put some kind of liquid gasket in there. It's got black crud around the sides and it's fixed itself in there good. Thoughts?
This poor car.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Chances are the black rubber seal is stuck to the alloy.I have carefully tapped around the thermo with a screw driver to break it away. It sounds like that seal is bad as you describe it as crud. If you prize the thermo out you may need to do some handy work with some RTV or see if you can get a new seal.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving