Thermostat leak.

[SN95StangMan]

It seems like my car is leaking every kind of fluid it holds.

I noticed that my thermostat housing is leaking from the bottom. Should I use the "special" thermostat silicone that they sell at the parts store, or should I stick with the black hi temp RTV. That is what I used when I installed the intake. Any tips on keeping this thing from leaking again?
* I remember when installing the intake that I couldnt get the upper radiator hose off because it was a PITA to get that clamp off. I had my neighbor do it but I dont remember how he did it. Do I just tighten those clamps with some pliers and pull the hose off?


OT: 700 Posts.

 

[squall9393]

I can only answer your first question from experience. Yes, use the Hi Temp Water Resistant stuff they suggest for thermostat housings. I put some on the thermostat and then let it dry on the gasket and then put a lot on the other side of the gasket that's gonna make contact with the thermostat housing. I put enough that when I sandwiched it all in there that a little RTV seeped out the cracked between the intake and the housing. Once i tightened the two bolts down well, I ran my finger along the crack to take away the excess RTV and pack it in the crack really well. Wait at least 15 minutes for the RTV to harden before you fill the system back up with coolant.

 

[donjohn]

at least it's not the damn water pump like the one that decided to go out on me last weekend... i bought a new one with a lifetime warrenty so it all works out

BTW: are you going to the show at the Queen Mary. i did go to the saleen show but don't think i really wanna head out there for this one.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

FIRST:

Make sure it is NOT the upper hose or the bypass hose. Ive seen guys (and girl) on here change the T-Stat 3 times, and found out it was the bypass hose.

If it IS the housing, get a 10-dollar replacement steel one from D.A.P., You can tighten that down as much as you want without worrying about cracking it.

Good Luck.
RC

 

[saleenadam]

I'd ditch the factory clamps for the hoses and get the ones that Wal-Mart, and every parts store or hardware store sell that you can either tighten down with a flathead or a socket, think they're called worm clamps. The factory ones that you have to use a big set of pliers on really suck and always fly off the pliers afterward halfway across the garage on me everytime.

 

[revhead347]

Yeah, if you screw up once and let the thermostat drop in the housing once, when you screw it down it will warp. Just get a cast iron one from the auto parts store. They never go bad.

Kurt

 

[SN95StangMan]

I'm 99% sure it's the t-stat gasket. But I'll definiteley make sure before I start to work on it. I'll also pick up one of those hose clamps at the parts store.



donjohn, I did go. It was cool. There was only a couple 94-95's there, so I hung around the Mach1 area with my brother. I'll send you some pics if I get around to uploading them.