STILL with T-Stat Gasket Problem

[Nagash01WS6]

Don't feel bad..... my water pump is leaking antifreeze too.

Next weekend, that has to be fixed

-- whoops, this is Sexystang1994 (Jessica)

 

[94_302]

When I first replaced my t-stat it leaked, so I went looking online to see if I did something wrong and I saw some one mention the napa gasket is sticky on one side. So I went to nappa and stuck it on the T-stat housing then put a little bit of RTV left it over night, because the RTV recomends a full 24 hours to cure. The next day no leaks.

 

[green94droptop]

My FMS chrome waterneck was leaking for a long time so I decided to replace it last week for like the 5th time; and you'd think because I've done it that many times, I'd get it right THIS time. I took it off with the intention to just put the stock one back on but couldn't find it .

After deciding to just put the chrome one back on and cleaning it up I noticed that it was heavily warped! So bad that in some spots it was atleast 1/16th" above or below the next spot when checking it against a straigh-edge. That's chrome for ya!

I put it on a bench grinder and sanded it down pretty close enough. Then gouped it all back together and tightened it up then waited about 8 hours (next morning). Filled it up with 50/50. No problems since!

Now my waterpump has bit the dust!

Good luck, bud.

 

[Down]

I just want to thank all of you. A few months ago I went round and round with leaking while replacing a tstat, I was getting extremely frustrated that such a simple task would be a pita. Glad to see others have had some troubles, makes me feel less stupid

J

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

The best thing to use for the stat neck is Permatex High Tack sealant. The stuff is like super glue and dries solid within 10 minutes. I have never had my neck leak when using this stuff. You can get it at Autozone and most other auto places.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

I just want to thank all of you. A few months ago I went round and round with leaking while replacing a tstat, I was getting extremely frustrated that such a simple task would be a pita. Glad to see others have had some troubles, makes me feel less stupid

J

Thanks alot

Shaun...Thanks for the advice...

Green...Thanks for the heads up..If it goes again, I will take it off and look at it.

Update:

1. Put the tstat on centered with a bead of RTV and let cure for about 15 minutes.
2. Put a thin film of RTV around the housing, but a little thicker at the bottom, and then worked in the gasket.
3. Smoothed out the bottom to even out the bead of RTV.
4. While that was sitting, I cleaned the intake port.
5. "Roughed" up the bottom 1/2 of the inlet.
6. Vacuumed it out and dried it well.
7. Inserted the screws through the holes of the housing and in to the inlet on the intake, but not letting the gasket touch the intake inlet. (after about 20 min)
8. Tightened down both screws until the housing was about 1/2" away from the inlet.
9. Then I pushed up the housing onto the inlet ( I did this instead of pushing the housing up at the beginning and then trying to find the holes for the screws...I think when you do that, the housing slides around)
10. Tightened everything then put the bypass hose and upper back on.

I finished that at 5:30. It is now 6:40, and I need the car in the AM, so Im going to fill it back up with fluid. I think that should be long enough, since the RTV was already slightly firm when put it back together at 5:30..

Got home from work and filled her up. Car ran for about a total of 20-25 minutes to get it heated and filled. The entire time it ran, there were no problems. When I did the car Saturday the first time, there were no problems either at that point. The leaking occurred when I drove the car around the block.

This time, I drove the car around the block (about 5 minutes) in 2nd gear at about 2500 RPM...My heart was beating fast when I rechecked it, but so far, so good

The real test will be when I get it out on the road, but at least I got past the first step.

If this doesnt work, Ill put back on the cast one that I bought with the screw hole in the top, and just polish it up a bit.

Thanks for all the input guys I got a lot more replies than I thought.
RC

 

[Badlilstang]

Thanks alot

Shaun...Thanks for the advice...

Green...Thanks for the heads up..If it goes again, I will take it off and look at it.

Update:



Got home from work and filled her up. Car ran for about a total of 20-25 minutes to get it heated and filled. The entire time it ran, there were no problems. When I did the car Saturday the first time, there were no problems either at that point. The leaking occurred when I drove the car around the block.

This time, I drove the car around the block (about 5 minutes) in 2nd gear at about 2500 RPM...My heart was beating fast when I rechecked it, but so far, so good

The real test will be when I get it out on the road, but at least I got past the first step.

If this doesnt work, Ill put back on the cast one that I bought with the screw hole in the top, and just polish it up a bit.

Thanks for all the input guys I got a lot more replies than I thought.
RC

Hehe.. I remember the days of losing sleep over leaks.. I hope it holds man.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Hehe.. I remember the days of losing sleep over leaks.. I hope it holds man.

So Far NO LOST SLEEP ( I quit that)

The worst thing at this point is that I have to redo it. I can walk to work, And the whole thing is apart in redone (except for drying) in about an hour.
SO If I have to do it again, just have to spend some more on coolant...since I already bought a new housing and gasket if need be.

Thanks
RC

 

[1105]

RC, if you need a stock t-stat housing just let me know. I got one off of my car that works fine and no leaks... I have mikes old one thats kinda polish up on my car now. Like I said, its kinda polished so it doesnt look bad, but not perfect. Let me know if ya need my old stock one

 

[Badlilstang]

RC, if you need a stock t-stat housing just let me know. I got one off of my car that works fine and no leaks... I have mikes old one thats kinda polish up on my car now. Like I said, its kinda polished so it doesnt look bad, but not perfect. Let me know if ya need my old stock one

nice job on that intake man.. how about you borrow my car for a week and do some polishing

 

[1105]

nice job on that intake man.. how about you borrow my car for a week and do some polishing

thats a good one

 

[mo_dingo]

How about putting some teflon tape on the threads of the bolts that hold it on? Maybe that is where the leak is? Just a thought. They (Haynes Manual) recommmend you do that for the ECT sensor; And seeing as this is coolant related, I bet it might remove that variable from the equation.
Scott

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Mo Dingo.. Threads are fine.. It is a small segment on the bottome that is leaking.

Zach. I bought an OEM cast one from D.A. It looks like the stocker except it has a screw hole on the top for my stock sending unit.

Do Toss the old one tho, just in case.
Thanks
RC

BTW..GOing to take the car to work now (7AM) Get back at 7PM. Will let you know any changes.

Thanks

 

[Badlilstang]

thats a good one

Cant blame me for trying!

 

[1105]

Cant blame me for trying!

not at all, But if you let me borrow the 92 I'll polish up its intake

 

[Badlilstang]

not at all, But if you let me borrow the 92 I'll polish up its intake

I just had it powder coated ... you did a good job on your intake tho.. thats one of the better home polish jobs ive seen. What do you use to protect it from water spots? Or do you just keep polishing it all the time with like mothers aluminum polish? I can never seem to get them to keep the shine.

 

[1105]

I havent used anything yet... Still not totally done with it. Might clear it with 500 degree paint, or try out Zoopseal. I'll hit it with Mother Mag & Aluminum Polish to get rid of any waterspots before I get ready to seal it for good.

 

[Badlilstang]

I havent used anything yet... Still not totally done with it. Might clear it with 500 degree paint, or try out Zoopseal. I'll hit it with Mother Mag & Aluminum Polish to get rid of any waterspots before I get ready to seal it for good.

Wow that zoopseal seems like some good stuff.. I just checked out thier site.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Hey 1105 and badlil...
STOP HIJACKING MY THREAD

IM pissed b/c it's still leaking...SAME spot. Think IM gonna have to change the water neck back to a cast one!!!

RC

 

[Venom351R]

Hey 1105 and badlil...
STOP HIJACKING MY THREAD

IM pissed b/c it's still leaking...SAME spot. Think IM gonna have to change the water neck back to a cast one!!!

RC

Rob.

Either plane down the surface of the housing so it sits flush agnest the Intake or polish up your stock one, its pretty much your only 2 options.