thaclav

Okay, so I replaced the thermostat on my jeep today and for some reason it's now leaking coolent from the T-stat seal. I used the correct gasket and used the gasket sealent on it and it still leaks. The T-stat it's self is seated properly inside it's little recess. The only thing I can think of that I could be doing wrong is adding coolent and starting it right up. Am I supposed to let the sealent dry first? Other than that I dunno what I could be doing wrong.

winston427

If you put to much force on the bolts when you tightened up the tstat housing you may have damaged the gasket. I've done it on a water pump before.

89Cherokee

the t-stat might have slipped out of the lip and is not seated properly. you will have to pull the t-stat housing and put it back on (DO NOT overtighten the housing bolts, you will crack the housing!... speaking from experience)

thaclav

The first time the t-stat slipped out of the lip and after I shut the Jeep off, it still leaked. I used a new gasket and re-did it, the seal held for about 10 seconds before it stared leaking. I'm going to take it apart and inspect it closer tomorrow, I may have overtightened the bolts so I'll inspect it for cracks and stuff but I don't think there are any.

89Cherokee

it is very easy to crack the aluminum.... can get one from a jy for $5 if it is broken though

Belto

the first time I replace my tstat I had the same prob, I took out the gasket, and just use some silicon seal and it did the job HTH

89Cherokee

forgot to mention that - use some gasket sealant (but not too much, don't want that stuff getting into your radiator

Belto

yeah, I did not use the gasket at all, bc that was causing the leak, bc it did not seal correctly, and I just used silicon, and yes, be careful not to over use,, bc that wont be good.

89Cherokee

when i did mine i used both and added sealant to both sides of the gasket. Maybe a little overkill but it doesn't leak

thaclav

I did hear a pop when I was tightening it up so I'm pretty sure I cracked it. I'm looking for a JY to get a new housing at right now.

thaclav

One other question, does anyone know the correct torque specs? I haven't been able to find them anywhere. Thanks.

96 XJ Sport

Haynes manual says 13 ft lbs, so not too tight. My housing cracked, too and I didn't overtighten it...it was just so brittle. Haynes also says to put RTV on both sides of the gasket. I found it easier to put the RTV on the housing itself and then on the head side of the gasket instead.

91 Laredo

I spoke to the stealer and they advised not to use RTV, just use the gasket.

thaclav

It's fixed. I cracked the housing so I just got a new one at Kragen for $7. I ended up using RTV because pretty much every write-up I saw said to. I just put on a tiny bit so I don't have to worry about it getting into the coolent system. Thanks for the help and the torque specs.