Thermostat Malfunction & Replacement

Few months into driving, some sort of irregularity came up --> higher idle (>1k), fantabulously slow warm up time and the engine never seemed to be able to hit up to optimal operating temperature.

Turned out that the thermostat rubber seal had gave up and coolant was on 'always-on' mode! Hence triggering the ECU to think that the engine is cold.
Well, nothing to hard to replace......

Dismounting the coolant-link assembly...

 New vs. Old thermostat -- note the tired rubber that had given up..

Quite PITA I would say. Thanks Mr. Foreman for not complaining :)