2004 Xc90 thermostat housing issues.

[Maidenpdx]

So my question is is it possible for me to use the housing on the thermostat from an S80 on my XC90 because I want to bypass the breathing nipple that always breaks when you remove the timing cover. I'm asking this because I broke it off and then I cleared it out but I can't get the housing off because all the bolts are stripped I've tried everything and I'm days into this project and I need my car because it's an everyday driver. So what I'm wanting to do is just cap that nipple hole off because I had heard somewhere that the S80 didn't have the breather hole nipple. There's very little room to get any kind of extractor in there to get the bolts out so I'm basically have given up on that right now I just want my car to run and want to know if I can somehow cap off the hole on the housing because it's impossible to screw the new one on with the timing gears in the way.

[songzunhuang]

I had to create a workaround for this issue when I broke my breather after doing a timing belt years ago. It's a terrible design and very frustrating. However, there is now a solution!

I was looking on PartsGeek and there's a upgraded replacement for the Thermostat housing from Pro Parts Sweden. Yes, they finally got a clue and made the breather out of metal. I immediately ordered it and it has arrived. I haven't installed it yet, but I've inspected it closely and it looks to be very well made.

New housing with metal breather Front

Thermoshousing front.png (1.44 MiB) Viewed 330 times

New housing with metal breather Top

ThermoHousing Top.png (1.15 MiB) Viewed 330 times

I'll be putting this on my car over the weekend, replacing my brass alternative I put on years ago, which has started to leak..but that's another story.