For those that changed the water pump - thermostat housing tube...

Any tricks for installing the clip? I tried for an hour first using straight needle nose pliers, then my hand. just cannot get it in the right place.
I tied a string to it to pull it out when I dropped it, otherwise would have probably lost it first try.

I wonder if the thermo housing and tube could have been put in preassembled but I doubt it as I could barely get the tube in independently.

I may ask the wife to try as her hands are about half the size of mine (and her car).

She's driving without the clip, I don't really think it's essential but perhaps it's more of a long term stress issue?

Thanks

 

I recall assembling the thermostat and water pipe prior to insertion. I don't seem to remember that part being difficult but I may possibly have had more interference removed from the car?

I do know that joint is crap. Even with the retainer clip removed, it breaks the water pump side before coming apart

Hooray for plastic.

 

when i did mine, i aligned one "leg" of the clip in the upper "track" then pushed on it til it sat right. then worked the second "leg" to sit in the lower opening.

 

It may help to see the orientation of the clip when properly inserted. I took this photo before pulling it out when I replaced my thermostat. The clip is not straight up and down but leans towards the engine when it is in place. I tied a string to mine before starting cause I knew I would probably drop before I got it in correctly. My hands are small which helped and I used a pair of very long nosed pliers to hold it with one hand and a screwdriver blade to force it down into it's slot. Good luck !
p.s. If I had to do it again I would put a small amount of lubrication on the lower sides of the metal pin to help it along into the slots.