Hi All,

It's been a while since I last posted but please don't hold it against me.

At my last MOT test the thermostat on my 2l pinto decided to let go resulting in a very steamy test centre. Having managed to get home safely I removed the thermostat housing only to shear off the bottom stud and have been struggling to extract it ever since. Notwithstanding this I wondered whether leaving the thermostat out of the housing would be detrimental to the engine when I eventually replaced it.

Regarding the broken stud I've just bought a gas torch (for a bit of heat) and have also got some cans of freeze spray to try to help getting the broken stud out.

Many thanks for any replies in due course.

Don’t leave it out it’s there for a reason I do know that sometimes people drill a small hole through the round plate

Replace thermostat. Had one stick "open" - result same as no thermostat. Engine never warmed up, cabin freezing (no hot air from blower) and fuel economy/throttle response was terrible........

If you (or a friend) can weld, you can probably put a suitably sized nut over the remains of the stud and weld inside the nut to the stud. Then you've got something to get at with a spanner.

I've had several locking wheel nuts off this way in the past (when the fancy key thing has been lost).

The other trick is centre punch in the broken stud and drill in slowly with a left handed drill bit. Usually the drill bit bites and helps wind the remains of the stud out.

Neither method is guaranteed mind you and you're at your own risk of course.

Also, be sure not to leave any swarf or mess if the coolant passages!