T-Stat Gasket...Yes or No to RTV??

[94GTLaserRC]

This weekend I will be replacing my Tstat Gasket again for the 3rd time.

A couple of months ago, it blew out on me on the hwy. When I took it off, a lot of the RTV was hanging down. I changed it back in Feb, and put a REALLY thin layer of RTV on both sides. There was not ONE drop of coolant on the water pump until about 3 weeks ago, when I just noticed a dried liquid stain. Over the last couple of day, the stain is larger and more greenish, indicating more is starting to drip out. Im going to change it again this weekend b4 it blows out again.

MAIN QUESTION:

For those of you who have changed the Tstat on your own, do you OR do you NOT use RTV when replacing the water neck and the gasket??

Please write any comments AND answer the poll (keep in mind I have the after market chrome FMS water neck, not the stocker.)

Thanks
RC

 

[95GTeee]

Yea, you NEED RTV on the T-Stat! Apply it to the manifold side and smear it all along the surface and let it set up for 15 mins or so, not too thick - not too thin. Make sure it doesnt go where the thermostat sits. And make sure the area is dry. Then take a thinner layer and put it on the T-Stat housing itself. I actually went out and got a gasket and put it in between the housing and the manifold and have never had a leak of any kind. Hope that helps, it worked for me. Good luck.
***Make sure both surfaces are CLEAN and free of old gasket and/or RTV before putting new stuff on. Use a razor blade to clean them!***

 

[94TURBO5 O]

I had the same problem after installing my chrome one. I did apply some rtv as well as a gasket.
I also had a problem with the bottom bolt not staying tight. You may want to check that.

 

[1105]

I dont remember applying any RTV to my Tstat gasket... But I also had it put on my lower when it was off my car so might have been easier that way.

 

[Venom351R]

Hey Rob not only did I find that lug nut key I also found a brand new T Stat housing gasket, need me to send that to you as well . J/K I need this one

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Thanks so far...
Actually Travis, I just bought one....$1.04
RC

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Thanks so far...
Actually Travis, I just bought one....$1.04
RC

PLUS TAX

 

[VibrantRedGT]

Becareful tightening the bolts down. I've done a bunch of gaskets in the last 10 years on my car and the housing cracked the last time. In fact I was doing my neighbors and I cracked his too. I bought him a steel replacement for $9. Wasn't even tight yet when it cracked. The aluminum turned into chalk.

Yes, use the black Permatex gasket maker.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

I just went out and took a 6mm hex wrench to the lower right bolt. It turns a couple of mm. I couldnt tighten it more b/c the positioning is such that I can go further clockwise, and I cant "reposition" it b/c the water neck is in the way.

I cant access the upper left bolt b/c the clamp for the bypass hose is in the way.

I just cleaned up the the water pump....Im gonna go run the car now and see if it leaks anymore.

Thanks
RC

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Still leaking slightly after tightening it...Time for a gasket change
RC

 

[DaveL]

Definately need RTV. If you've got the chrome t-stat housing sand it down a little to get the chrome rough where the RTV goes. First time I did it without RTV it held up for 2 weeks and then one day coolant started leaking from it.

 

[Venom351R]

Thanks so far...
Actually Travis, I just bought one....$1.04
RC

wow dont bust the piggy bank

 

[95BLKGT5.0]

Take the housing off and sand it on a flat surface to make sure it is flat.
They wrap real easy and no amount of RVT will help.
Mine leaked and I took it off and sanded it and put it back on with the same gasket and no RVT just to get it home and then I was going to replace the gasket and RVT it. That was 2 years ago I never did take it back off.