geoduke

Does anyone ever use any form of gasket material other than RTV for sealing the thermostat housing? I've probably done this job three or four times with just RTV and end up with a leak everytime. I'm torquing the bolts to spec and making sure both surfaces are very clean. Planning on doing the timing belt and figured I should try to seal the housing while I'm in there. Any advice on getting this thing to seal?

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Use OEM gasket. It won't break the bank and it won't leak.

:wabbit2:

xxxtreme22r

I just used coolant/sensor safe RTV. No leaks on mine. Going on 2 years and 15K without issues. RTV red/black don't work well on coolant stuff.
Also having that little rubber o-ring on the t-stat itself helps.

Stuwy123

iTrader: (1)

Are you sure it's the seal on T-stat flange?
Or is that little hose nipple beside it loose?

geoduke

It's definitely between the housing with three nuts that fits over where you insert the tstat.

It seems like there should be a gasket between these surfaces...

4x4climber

umm... there is a rubber thermostat gasket... you put it around the thermostat and put in the thermostat and tighten the bolts.. and well.. mine doesn't leak.

stackedyoda

I use ultra copper rtv on every gasket I install, no leaks.

TNRabbit

Use the rubber gasket around the edge of the t-stat. Mine has NEVER leaked....

4x4climber

You people and your RTV hoarding. RTV on everything huh? lol... Think it is gods gift to gaskets? Stop using so much of the damn stuff. It is not needed. Quit scratchin yer head. Buy the right gasket. It WILL seal that is why it was designed how it is. Your gas tank would appreciate the couple extra bucks.

OP any update on what happened when you installed the gasket that goes there?

stackedyoda

I use it on everything so I have a better chance of it sealing, I don't like taking things apart the first time, the second time I get out the hammer. Not really, but I don't have any free time as it is, I like to try and use it for more relaxing things than fixing a problem twice.

Resto-noob

iTrader: (3)

No offense to anyone, but that is one of the funniest things I have ever read on the internet.

You sound like a guy who has "encountered" more than his fair share of RTV.

4x4climber

yeah, I have worked in the field of car repair. And let me tell ya... People use that stuff on the craziest things. This is just one time.. Dude told the story like this... Dude blows his headgasket. Decided to fix it himself. So he replaced it... Didn't fix his problem... (obviously his head must be warped or something). So he tried another idea... Didn't work... So he finally decided to bring it into the shop to have it done right. So when I pull the head off... First thing I noticed was the gasket was STUCK to the head... With a ˟˟˟˟ton of RTV... Well, I got to clean it up... And no there are not FLAG hours designated for rtv cleanup..
that is not the only time.. Bit it was bad... The worst part was seeing the rtv on all the other stuff he took apart. VC gasket had rtv ALL over the place... Not to mention rtv filling the passges between block n head... People amuse me =D

I almost never have to tear my work down a second time. But yeah, rtv... Gotta love that stuff. It sticks to everything.

Resto-noob

iTrader: (3)

I found a tube's worth of orange RTV on the first 22r I tore down. Every mating surface was covered, it looked like he put it on with a caulk gun.

stackedyoda

I only put a dab on my finger and a very thin coat on either side of the gasket, I don't glob it on, and I wipe any excess(there usually isn't any that gets pushed out) off after it's together. It's just peace of mind for me, I'm the only one working on the truck so it's not anyone else's problem for now.

Resto-noob

iTrader: (3)

You're using the product as it is intended. The previous owner(s) of my second Yota used the "more=better" mindset. After a while, it became almost comical, I wish I had set it all aside to see how much was used.

xxxtreme22r

You guys got me to thinking because I could have swore I did mine by the book and started to second guess myself and looked it up. The only gasket that should be there is NOT a paper one, it's the rubber "o-ring" that comes with 90% of your thermostats and which is why the housing and base is channeled for it. Which tells me, as long as you don't pinch the o-ring and it's in good shape that is the only thing you really need. I'd have to look in the FSM if it mentions any use of FIPG or not. I used the water proof/sensor safe stuff but I don't believe now that was "by the book" as was not even needed.