I was fitting a new thermostat, turned out there was no thermostat which is why it ran cold, and i overtightened the bolts. It has snapped just above the bottom bolt and now leaks coolant when the engine runs. Ill need to find one on ebay/

I barely put any pressure on it

 

What did you snap?

 

Sounds like you cracked the plastic housing and yes the bolts only get tightened to about 20 inch-lbs (about 9 ft-lbs) of torque if I remember correctly - which is just past snugging them up. You should be able to order one easily from rockautoparts.com, even if you are overseas for about 6 pounds (12 bucks) + shipping.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...parttype,10337


I am more concerned about it NOT having a thermostat then a bad one, because it is a very very old trick to disguise other problems that may have been happening. I hope that is not the case and the former owner was just too lazy or cheap to put one in.

 

heh what did i tell ya about overtighting them bolts.

 

i found a neon being broken on ebay and have got the thermostat housing, drivers window regulator and front passenger window motor, inc delivery for £50 ($77) Sound ok?

i also got 4 Bosch Super spark plugs for 99p ($1.60) as no one else bid on the auction.

 

i actually thought of this forum and what had been said as i did it, i could see the words on screen in my head.

so i was carefull and then thought "ill just give it a tiny bit more" and ..

 

As long as the spark plugs are not platinum plugs, you should be fine. I have heard that the newest indium plugs are OK because they have a higher melt point and can hold up - but oh baby - they ain't cheap!

The price of all that together wasn't a bad deal. It is usually cheaper if you pulled the parts yourself, but you may not have that option.