Mk4 Volkswagen Golf GTI Thermostat Replacement DIY (1998-2006 VW Beetle, Jetta, Golf)

►Thermostats are a simple device that regulates coolant flow through the engine. When cold it will stay closed, stopping coolant flow and helping the engine warm up faster. Once up to temperature, it will open and allow normal coolant flow and maintain proper engine temperature. Ensuring your Mk4 VW GTI thermostat is functioning properly is crucial to its cooling performance.
There are two types of thermostat failures:
Thermostat stuck open (most common): Coolant will flow through the engine constantly from cold, preventing the engine from reaching operating temperature. Usually this means a rich mixture resulting in poor fuel mileage and potential catalytic converter damage.
Thermostat stuck closed: If the thermostat is stuck closed it will restrict flow into the engine resulting in an overheating condition, resulting in potential catastrophic engine damage.
Follow along as Jay Van Gorden, our VW Catalog Manager, walks you through the steps needed to replace the thermostat on your 1.8t equipped VW Mk4.
Shop the parts used in this video:
VW Mk4 Thermostat Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-t...
Index:
00:00 - Intro & Tools Needed
02:42 - VW Mk4 Coolant Drain Procedure
06:05 - VW Mk4 Battery Disconnection
03:45 - VW Mk4 Air Pump Line Removal
05:40 - VW Mk4 Coolant Flange Hose Removal
06:47 - VW Mk4 Coolant Flange Upper Bolt Removal
07:00 - VW Mk4 Alternator Bracket Removal
07:45 - VW Mk4 Coolant Flange Upper Bolt Removal
08:45 - VW Mk4 Thermostat Removal
09:28 - VW Mk4 Thermostat & Coolant Flange Install
10:48 - VW Mk4 Alternator Bracket Reinstall
11:00 - VW Mk4 Coolant Flange Hose Reinstall
11:23 - VW Mk4 Coolant Fill Procedure
12:45 - VW Mk4 Buttoning Up the Job
14:58 - Thanks for Watching!
This video applies to the following vehicles:
Volkswagen Beetle
1999 Volkswagen Beetle GL 1.8L
1999 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L
1999 Volkswagen Beetle GLX 1.8L
2000 Volkswagen Beetle GL 1.8L
2000 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L
2000 Volkswagen Beetle GLX 1.8L
2001 Volkswagen Beetle GL 1.8L
2001 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L
2001 Volkswagen Beetle GLX 1.8L
2001 Volkswagen Beetle Sport 1.8L
2002 Volkswagen Beetle GL 1.8L
2002 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L
2002 Volkswagen Beetle GLX 1.8L
2002 Volkswagen Beetle Sport 1.8L
2002 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo S 1.8L
2003 Volkswagen Beetle GL 1.8L
2003 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L
2003 Volkswagen Beetle GLX 1.8L
2003 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo S 1.8L
2004 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L
2004 Volkswagen Beetle GLX 1.8L
2004 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo S 1.8L
2005 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8L
Volkswagen Golf
2000 Volkswagen Golf GLS 1.8L
2000 Volkswagen Golf GTI GLS 1.8L
2001 Volkswagen Golf GLS 1.8L
2001 Volkswagen Golf GTI GLS 1.8L
2002 Volkswagen Golf GTI 337 1.8L
2002 Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.8T 1.8L
2003 Volkswagen Golf GTI 20th Anniversary 1.8L
2003 Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.8T 1.8L
2004 Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.8T 1.8L
2005 Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.8T 1.8L
Volkswagen Jetta
2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L
2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L
2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition 1.8L
2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L
2003 Volkswagen Jetta GL 1.8L
2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L
2003 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition 1.8L
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 1.8L
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8L
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GL 1.8L
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8L
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[@AaronsEnduro]

You guys helped the hell out of little Willy and Rudnick! You know where I'll be getting my euro parts from!

[@fcpeuro]

We appreciate the reciprocating support Aaron, we look forward to helping you and your Euro cars in the near future!

[@josephmastromarino8272]

Love what y'all do for the KZbin community and car community keeping prices affordable while maintaining oem quality 👌

[@fcpeuro]

Doing what we can to help 1 European Car owner at a time Joseph!

[@dompo8923]

Good on you guys for helping Chris and Will.

[@anthonymiller5745]

Here for rudnik and willy. Yall are the real mvps

[@fcpeuro]

Nah Anthony, you the MVP. Appreciate the love.

[@massfootage4503]

Literally SAVED ME $600! Followed step by step. HINT: don’t need to remove the engine mount, just jack up the car, move the mount to the back of the engine and once the timing belt is installed, work it back into position. Love FCP! Should make more videos on these 1.8t

[@fcpeuro]

Nice work!!

[@ivantwisted4012]

Ricer Miata and Will sent me. Have a E92 and always need parts.

[@fcpeuro]

Oh ya.. E92 life, you know we've got your back haha!

[@irangeu36]

Thanks for supporting little willy and rodknock.

[@fcpeuro]

We are happy to help Noahd!

[@sailwesterly5444]

An excellent walkthrough - much thanks.

[@bottomfeederhatchery.5630]

Thanks for helping willy out big thanks from the ricer family

[@fcpeuro]

Our pleasure Austin, thanks for coming over and checking out the channel!

[@caseyman97]

I'm here from Chris rocdknock! I order from you guys already but i appreciate seeing the support. I'm am subbed now.

[@fcpeuro]

Thanks for the sub Casey, appreciate your support as a customer as well!

[@roinealenius]

Hey FCP, came here from Rudnicks place... Awesome you hooked Will up, that 135 got a M2 and 2 M3's to go to war with so he will need to be on top of his game :D

[@fcpeuro]

Hope he's ready for the war lol!

[@ryansmiley5495]

Chris and will sent me. Maybe il fix my jetta after all. Definitely going to watch from now on.

[@fcpeuro]

Just needed a little motivation Ryan to pick that wrench back up and bang out some DIYs on that Jetta!

[@mocoj7423]

The more Mk4 content the merrier!!!

[@user-dd9qh5vu3u]

언제나 좋은정보 감사합니다 건강챙기고 행복하세요

[@peterchavez7687]

Waddup Doode!! Chris shouting u out, u must be cool!

[@adamoneale4396]

Thanks for this. Vwry useful. My thermostat housing didn't even have an i ring 😂😂

[@jamescairnes4432]

Lil Willi Pooh sent me lol. Great Job Guys Top notch 💪✌

[@joki2343]

Thank You !!! Very good !!

[@8u7cher]

Great video, getting ready to do my mk1 TT. When you put in thermostat does it have top and bottom, or do you put it in just vertical.

[@samsorts]

Thank you for sharing this great video! I just replaced radiator for new one, but ventilator does not start even when temp goes to 90 , no leak from passenger side, any idea you could please suggest that shall be checked? Coolant just boils but vents just does not start! This Is the first time I do all by me self, losing fear so just doing It, but I don't want to give up and call mechanic. 30a fuse looks good by the way. Allí this Is happening in an Audi A3 2003. Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions.

[@-ben7213]

So sick for the hookup on the 135i

[@fcpeuro]

Thing should be a monster in the end!

[@drivewaygarage1561]

Well done

[@brensagimp]

here because ricer miata ....

[@josemedina9523]

My blower water pump stays on after shutting down engine and my thermostat warning ⚠️ lite won't turn off ?

[@johnrichardson544]

You say to unscrew the expansion tank cap to help the coolant drain faster, however why doesn't the coolant actually drain from the expansion tank as well when you do this? Isn't that little tap just for the radiator itself?

[@juanjosemoraflores1492]

What does Code P0304 mean on my 1997 GOLF GL 1997 2.0 Hatch back? Any info helps. Tried looking this up in google and NADA! :(

[@jcalaforra]

I just replaced mine. The easiest way, believe it or not, is to remove the whole front assmbly to get to those two screws. the radiators and the front assembly are only linked by 2 or 3 hoses and a few connectors. You have to remove the bumper cover and the assembly comes out with five 13mm screws. Replacing the thermostat is 10 minutes after that. Way easier than trying to fish those screws.

[@jcalaforra]

Be careful with the AC hoses, though. I held the front assembly in place with a couple tie wraps.

[@batesk8]

Is this the same procedure for vr6?

[@save34fry]

First of just wanted to say thank you for posting the video as I need to replace my thermostat. I have a question about disconnecting the connector on the 4:29 min mark because I had a difficulty to disconnect it. Would you please tell me how to do it the right way so I don’t make any damage. Thanks

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Mav, often time it helps to push in the connector before pulling out, to help break the seal.

[@NittiGriti]

why is the coolant not g12??? i was told you have to use it

[@MrTOPEKOMSI]

lets go fcp sponsoring the boys liked and subscribed

[@fcpeuro]

appreciate the love!

[@hansshaffer3788]

Great video! I have a 2004 Jetta with the 1.8T that overheated last week in -15 deg.F (I live in South Dakota) after driving about 17 miles. I let it sit for a couple hours, then tried to drive it back home, but it overheated again after just a couple miles and I had to get a tow. I had the water pump and timing belt replaced November 2021, so I hope my issue is the thermostat and not the water pump. Can you give me any tips to help me diagnose it? Thank you again for making great videos!

[@JoelCaseyJonesMusic]

This happened to me on the coldest day this winter in Seattle (20deg) my water pump isn’t new but it isn’t showing the signs of needing to be replaced. After talking to a mechanic friend of mine it sounded like it is 99% the thermostat. Sounds like yours is likely the thermostat as well. I’m working on it today so we’ll see tomorrow…

[@yomamacrib3297]

@@JoelCaseyJonesMusicdid it end up being the thermostat?

[@JoelCaseyJonesMusic]

@@yomamacrib3297 yes it was. $25 fix and it’s running like a top

[@JoelCaseyJonesMusic]

@@yomamacrib3297 FYI if anyone attempts this on a Mk4 and you haven’t replaced the orange dip stick guide… just save yourself a trip and buy one. You WILL break it removing everything necessary to get to the thermostat. Old plastic is brittle.

[@yomamacrib3297]

@@JoelCaseyJonesMusic good looking out my boy, need more people like you in this world fr

[@Catman1987]

how many quarts of coolant did it take to fill up ? , or how much coolant does a MK4 VR6 golf take ? thanks God bless …

[@fcpeuro]

Hi, the MK4 VR6 Golf takes a total of 9L of coolant.

[@burtmcgurt3584]

Ricer Miata sent me!!!!!!!!!!!

[@karenbrennan4573]

What if my temp is not overheating but not getting up to temp? I have just replaced the heat sensor and previously so much to try and get this engine light off for good. This car is driving me crazy🤪 any help appreciated.

[@md_rufo]

same problem here, have u fixed yours? if so, please let me know how

[@southillvictor4853]

Hello, is the thermostat in the same place on the golf 4 variant 2.0 engine?

[@thecoolguy9364]

Probably late but yes

[@zig-zagwraps9992]

Ricer Miata sent me here

[@cenflofinest5192]

Chris sent me!!

[@josephmastromarino8272]

Ricer Miata sent me

[@isaigaona1]

How much is the Labour costs?

[@georgesnassar744]

where is bascome ?!!!

[@fcpeuro]

We are trying to get him out of retirement. He has a bunch lined up in month!

[@solomonmaluleke9013]

❤

[@toofatforcombat3562]

Rudnick and Willy send me!!

[@phukyou6403]

It's not CT without liquid wrench and pb blaster 😂

[@fcpeuro]

Comes standard with an DIY lol

[@matthewhigby2035]

Ricer miata sent me lol

[@laautoworks]

Sent by Ruddy

[@fcpeuro]

Send our love back :-)

[@Ifixstuf]

Ricers sent me here

[@NittiGriti]

tools needed..... said 5 mm.... not 5mm allen.... hooray broken vaccum lines , and cant get to the bot on the alternator yay... anyone wanna buy a golf non turbo with an after market turbo... 2.0 with turbo

[@mileycywuskleiner978]

Lol everything gets fucking brittle its god awful

[@phox0999]

no VR no care