Porsche 944
Thermostat replacement
Hopefully this page can assist you in the
removal of the troublesome snap ring that holds the thermostat in place in the
Water pump outlet of your 944. Please be
sure to wear safety goggles as the snap ring is under great force!
More than likely, the snap ring is at a
position that makes getting to it with snap ring pliers difficult. If this is
the case, a small sharp
Punch can be used to “chase” the snap ring
ends to a better location. By placing the tip of the punch in the right side of
the snap ring,
As shown above, the ring can be
manipulated by pushing left (towards the gap in the ring).
Once the snap ring ends are in a location that are easier to access, you will need a set of
snap ring pliers. I have found that the
45 degree tips work much better than the
90 degree tips do.
Here you can see that the 45 degree tips
have just the right angle to access the snap ring. Once the tips are
Seated in the ring it can be compressed
and tipped out.
Here we see the snap ring tipped in the
housing with the pliers used in the foreground. From here the ring can be
Removed with the pliers, or by hand
without the pliers slipping and shooting the ring across the shop!
Below is the collection of tools used and
parts required to replace the t-stat. A sharp punch, snap ring pliers,
A new thermostat with edge gasket, the
spacer shim and snap ring. The shim and snap ring of course can be reused!
