You did the right thing let me tell ya!!
If i was doing it again id do what you did.
Theres 3 bolts holding that cooler in all...2 are more than adequaute...chances are your EGR is blanked anyway
In case anyone is reading this with a view to doing the job.
Remove the airbox...then unbracket the turbo boost switch to give you more room.
The stat in itself is just bolted to the side of the block...however one of the studs is shared with the EGR cooler.
And unfortunately the nut you need to access to remove the stat is completely blocked by the bracket that holds the EGR cooler.
My suggestion would be to cut that bracket somehow...probably a small grinder is all youd get in there..
Then remove the stat and get on with the job.
Otherwise...youll have to find the other 2 bolts that hold the cooler in position at the back of the engine.
If you move along the cooler towards the back of the engine bay youll notice a tall bracket coming off it and bolted to the block just below the inlet manifold.
Using a small mirror and torch you should be able to find the 2nd bolt.
Both of mine were 13mm for the record.
To access it however its easiest to remove the complete EGR...and also a small bracket between the EGR and the inlet manifold(easy 1 10mm bolt) that holds a wiring loom or vac tubes i cant quite remember.
The EGR cooler is hardpiped to the exhaust manifold at one end and the EGR at the other end.(clamped in place...allen key and a jiggle to remove)
I uncoupled the EGR cooler at both ends... there are tiny shims/gaskets that easily fall out so be expecting them and make sure you put them back in.
In hindsight i may have gotten away without uncoupling it at the back end of the engine where it couples to the EGR..as with the EGR removed there is no longer anything holding it in position. I found this really difficult to reconnect so would have saved me a good hour...maybe more so have a think about it.
Best of luck.
Marty.
