I know the part is only about $25. I have a 2000 VW Golf Gti with the 1.8t Engine. My car takes forever to warm up so I suspect it%26#039;s about time to change the thermostat considering i%26#039;m at 180,000Kms.|||1.5 hours by an experienced mechanic. 3 hours for a shade tree mechanic. Days if you do it yourself and a bunch of $$$$$$.|||Not an easy one on the vw/audi 1.8 turbo. I%26#039;d say 3 hours if you%26#039;ve never donw it before. Most of the 1.8T%26#039;s need the intake manifold to be removed to perform this.
Another thing on the 1.8T%26#039;s: Make sure you replace the timing belt every 65K miles, regardless of what your manual tells you. I%26#039;ve replaced several 1.8T engines for customers due to timing belt, tensioner and water pump failure.|||On any car you%26#039;re going to be paying a lot more for the labor than for the part to replace a thermostat. I%26#039;ve never done it on a VW but I%26#039;d guess maybe 2 - 3 hours. This means over $100 for labor. Possibly well over $100. That is of course if you%26#039;re paying someone else to do it. If you%26#039;re up to it go for it. Also, replace the gaskets you break the seals on (180000km!)
