So I haven't had heat in my jeep for quite a while now. I decided after becoming a member here that the first thing to check would be the thermostat and since it's cheap to do I might as well give it a shot. So I go get the thermostat, gasket and gasket sealer and get to work. I get the hoses off... which was quite a feet with one of 'em!... Then I unscrew the housing and what do I find?

NOTHING!

There wasn't a thermostat even in it! No wonder I didn't have any heat.

Anyways now to the real issue. I've installed it all back together and I keep getting a leak at the bottom of the housing... any ideas? Also, now my brake light on my dash is on... weird.

 

new gasket and check the housing for cracks. also make sure the gasket surfaces are clean and dry.
use your sealer to attach the gasket to the housing (let sit for a few min) and then put it back together. make sure the thermostat is faced tall side in and the purge hole to the top of the housing.

 

I don't see a purge whole in my thermostat. What exactly am I looking for?

 

Not all thermostats have a "jiggle valve" or purge valve on them. If there isn't one, don't worry about it.

I hope you bought a quality brand name 195 degree thermostat. Cheap charlie no name stats are absolute junk.

BTW, a brake light can come on for low brake fluid in the reservoir. Checked that?

 

Regarding the leak, the t-stat could have slipped out of it's groove in the head, preventing the cover from sealing.

 

Thanks guys for your help! I purchased an OEM replacement stat for it. Its all sealed up now. Also it was low brake fluid for the brake light. It just happened to come on after I started working on it.

 

Time for a tasty drink...