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Help with leaking coolant

Old Jan 4, 2005 | 10:13 PM
  #1  
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devinsteen
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Default Help with leaking coolant

Ok, so there is leak right where the radiator hose connects to the engine. It's not the hose itself, but that piece it's attatched too with two bolts. WTF is causing it to leak from there? It does it after I turn off the car.
Old Jan 5, 2005 | 12:52 AM
  #2  
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Default RE: Help with leaking coolant

that piece is the thermostat housing and it could be the gasket is gone and starting to leak. or worse case the housing has a crack in it. either way, to fix it, you need to drain the radiator down some so the level is below the level of the thermostat housing, then remove the upper radiator hose from the housing and remove the housing and thermostat with it. inspect the housing real closely for any cracks or corrosion of the mating gasket surfaces. if the housing looks OK, then thoroughly clean off the old gasket from both the housing and the intake manifold surfaces with a gasket scraper or razor knife. also use a wire brush to clean off the neck where the hose connects to it too. you can get a new gasket at any auto parts store along with a small tube of silicon gasket sealer. apply some sealer to the housing surface and let it get tacky, wait about 10 minutes, then installl the thermostat into the recess in the housing with the bulb end pointing back toward the intake manifold and carefully place the gasket over the housing and press it firmly into place. then reinstalll the housing back onto the manifold and carefully tighten the two bolts holding it on but don't overtighten it as the ears can break off. let it sit a while to let the sealer cure some and then install hose and replace the coolant in the radiator and start it up and let it run with the radiator cap off until it comes up to normal temperature while checking for any leaks.
Old Jan 5, 2005 | 01:13 AM
  #3  
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devinsteen
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Default RE: Help with leaking coolant

Thanks a lot roundman! I figured it wasn't too big a deal, but I wasn't sure. I will fix it tomorrow morning.
Old Jan 5, 2005 | 02:57 PM
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Default RE: Help with leaking coolant

make sure the stat donesn't slip down as you tighten the bolt and crack the stat housing..
Old Jan 5, 2005 | 03:19 PM
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Default RE: Help with leaking coolant

good point there old man, I forgot to mention that! LOL
Old Jan 5, 2005 | 03:23 PM
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Default RE: Help with leaking coolant

I'm here all week gramps
Old Jan 5, 2005 | 10:57 PM
  #7  
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Default RE: Help with leaking coolant


ORIGINAL: vfast

make sure the stat donesn't slip down as you tighten the bolt and crack the stat housing..

And easy way of acheiving this is to take a minimal amount of RTV silicone and smear it around the thermostats edges and set it on the housing and allow it to dry or atleast skin over then it wont slip.You can also do this with the gasket it works very well.
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