Put the new radiator in (NAPA replacement). New Water Pump, bought the new water inlet pipe.

New thermostat....

After all that (and replacing the brake line)...the water is spraying out around the thermostat housing.

I used a "real" gasket for it...but either didn't pinch it tight enough, or something.

What's the best way to get a good seal (I was careful to remove all the old gasket/seal)?

And...

In doing all the above, I put 4 Qts of distilled water and 4 Qts of Coolant. Should I be expecting a big air bubble somewhere?

The manual says 12qts...but I wasn't sure how much of that would be in the heater core and left in the engine...

Thanks!

AFARR

 

T-stat housing may be cracked. Did u use sealer with the gasket? What year model? Let ours idle with the rad cap off 'til coolant flowed out neck of rad, put cap on, called it good.

 

No visible cracks.

1995 4.0 Sport.

No sealer (probably my problem)..what's best?

Leak is coming from where the gasket is sammiched between the thermostat housing and engine block...

Once I fix the T-stat leak, I'll go for the open rad cap method...

Then I can deal with the rusted through floors in front and the transfer case (hey, for $400, I expected some issues...I just want to get it on the road soon, however..)..

Thanks!!

 

A thin layer of blue RTV silicone on both sides of a fresh gasket will seal her right up. Don't overtighten the bolts, and let it dry for a little bit before you add coolant and run it. Just speakin' from experience.

 

i bet the t-stat fell out of the recessed area. happened to me when installing my reman engine. just an idea??

 

the same thing happened to me when i replaced the motor in my TJ over the winter ^

 

This.

I used Water pump/ Thermostat Housing RTV. Its just more resistant to coolant (water-glycol mix).

 

If the thermostat isn't seated just right in there, gets in a bind, it could leak just as you described. I'd go get another gasket and re install the theromostat & housing making sure they aren't bound.

The sealant I like to use is that "Indian Head" sealant from Permatex. In a small brown bottle. Apply to both mating surfaces, let dry to tacky, apply gasket, assemble.

If I use other sealants, I usually let them set-up overnight before adding water. That's also why I switched.