I lost the second screw that is the "hardest" to get to on the thermostat housing. It fell in that crevice with a gap at the bottom next to the the intake manifold, and hasn't been seen since. I tried and tried both from above and below to retrieve it but with no avail. It seems to have fallen deep into a place I can't see or reach.

Anyone have an idea where it may be?

Getting a new one isn't a problem. I'm just freaking out because I'm worried about if it could have fallen into a place it could hurt something. Could it work its way into the timing belt and jam it, or into the starter or alternator or something? Getting the original back would be convenient, but I'm just worried about it jamming something up! Should I worry about this?

Tomorrow I am going to get one of those magnets on a telescoping stick and try to blindly fish it out.

On another note, how the heck do I pull the T-stat housing completely free? Right now it is caught between my PS pump reservoir and the round endcap of the fuel rail.


Please help!

Thanks!

1995Volvo850

 

dont worry about it buddy. got some screws in there too replacing my alternator. its noo where close to the timing belt nor the drive belt. it will fall off when you get on the road.it probably fell at the back of the alternator. noo sweat buddy.

 

Thanks bud. That makes me feel better. Any idea on how to retrieve it? Magnet?

 

magnet would be the best way. As for it being hung up....i pulled my fuel rail off when I did mine. Pulling the fuel rail is at worst a 15 minute process.

 

Not sure I want to remove the fuel rail. Don't you have to replace injector seals or something when you do that?

Any other way to remove that housing?

 

Why do you want to pull the housing?

No you don't have to replace seals when you pull the rail. Just don't drop any of them down that hole with the t-stat bolt. If you pull the rail off very straight you should be ok. If a seal breaks, you'll need new ones.

By the way, that screw is likely stuck near the oil trap box.

 

pulling the rail is very easy buddy. here is a link on how to remove it

How-To: Fuel Injector Replacement On 850'S And X70 - FWD/AWD 1998 and Prior - Volvospeed Forums

 

Ok, well, I got one of those cheap O'reilly's telescoping 'magnet-on-a-stick' and was able to retrieve the screw on the first try. Not bad for one of those cheap little things.

I also was able to simply remove the two bolts securing down the fuel rail, and with just enough finesse, wedge the thermostat housing/cap out of the way to switch out the thermostat. Then, just buttoned her back up and refilled with new coolant.

This is the thermostat I bought:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...6_0_1633_93207

All is good now! No leaks whatsoever, and I took her on many test drives and boy does she warm up much faster now! Sits right at the three o' clock position every time now! My heater is now so much more effective too, and on the days its colder I expect I will get slightly better fuel economy now.

Sorry if I got worked up over something so simple. It was late, I was stressed about needing my vehicle the next day yet having it unoperational, and I really didn't want to hurt my baby!

Thanks for the help guys!

 

Thermostats don't get replaced often enough, IMO. I have found many cold Volvos over the years, sometimes no one notices. And just as often when the thermostat cover is removed the thing is in pieces.

great reminder! Thanks.