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Finally replaced leaking thermostat housing!
03-11-2013, 08:49 AM
#1
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 3,666
Finally replaced leaking thermostat housing!
Well, over a year of having a leaky thermostat housing, I finally had a neighbor help me replace it!! I purchased the thermostat housing (complete kit from Autozone), which included the upper/lower housing/thermostat/O-ring/seal. I also purchased a new Throttle body gasket, coolant cap, 3 bottles of coolant and thermostat sensor. We flushed out the old coolant and used water to flush it completely. The original thermostat sensor seal wore down alot and would not fit in the new thermostat housing, therefore, I had to purchase a new sensor and really force it into housing. For easy access to the old thermostat housing, my friend loosened and moved the drive belt, removed CAI elbow and throttle body. I decided to clean the TB, while is it was off and had easy access. After removal of the thermostat housing, it was clear that the housing was leaking from the backside and was settling into the "V" section in the middle of the engine. Coolant was all puddled up and we tried cleaning as much as we could with a rag and then sprayed down with green cleaner. It's cleaned up some, but most of it will need to get burned off and will take some time.
Last edited by kevinmalec; 03-11-2013 at 09:56 AM.
03-11-2013, 11:28 AM
#3
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 3,666
Yeah, my hoses were in pretty good shape too. Not tough at all. The hardest part was putting the new sensor in the thermostat housing. It took some strength to get it secure with the pin.
Last edited by kevinmalec; 03-11-2013 at 01:55 PM.
03-11-2013, 09:07 PM
#7
Moderator
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Michigan again!
Posts: 8,575
It's a little more difficult with the Xcharger - at least with the Xtreme kit. Had to remove the blower to get to one bolt.
When it goes it will be all at once if you keep waiting. If it is leaking do it before you are stuck somewhere or having to do it in bad weather jdphillips.
When it goes it will be all at once if you keep waiting. If it is leaking do it before you are stuck somewhere or having to do it in bad weather jdphillips.
03-12-2013, 08:49 AM
#9
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 3,666
Thanks, Cameron!
It's a huge relief, especially not having to worry about it completely cracking open and leaving me stranded. Also, this saved me $250+ by using a neighbor friend to help out. =-)
It's a huge relief, especially not having to worry about it completely cracking open and leaving me stranded. Also, this saved me $250+ by using a neighbor friend to help out. =-)
Last edited by kevinmalec; 03-12-2013 at 08:58 AM.
03-12-2013, 08:51 AM
#10
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 3,666
I didn't realize mine was leaking at first. The coolant would leak towards the back of the housing and into the engine area, then it would get burned off by the heat of the engine. over time, the leak got worse and started dripping down to the ground. When you start smelling coolant, that's the first sign!
Last edited by kevinmalec; 03-12-2013 at 08:54 AM.
