vtruong1

Hey guys, few weeks ago I did a radiator flush and changed my thermostat and gasket. I made sure I torqued the thermostat bolts to 14 ft-lbs measured with torque wrench and gasket was fitted around the thermostat.

This weekend I noticed the overflow reservoir was empty. I opened the cap to the radiator and it was a little low. So I started looking around for a leak and find the leak at the bottom of the thermostat housing where the bolt is. I can wipe it and watch a drop form where the housing meets the water pump. I torqued it up to 15ft-lbs to see if it would stop, no success. Loosened the bolt and torqued it up to 14ft-lbs and still leaking.

I remember when I took the housing off to replace the gasket, it was a lot tighter then 14ft-lbs. Do I need to torque it down more? Dont want to crack the housing.

Could I just have a bad gasket? What are my options at this point outside of flushing the radiator again....Do I have to flush the radiator again in order to reseat or replace the gasket? Just seems like a pain in the butt to do this all over again because the gasket didnt seat correctly.

Looking around saw this..... I dont remember there being a housing gasket...could this be my issue?

97ltd4x4

Chances are that when you installed the thermostat with the O-ring around it,It moved slightly and it got pintched as you torqued the plastic housing down.You will need another O-ring for the thermostat....Yes you are going to have to drain the coolant again.

A good tip is when you install the thermostat w/O-ring,lube the O-ring with vasoline or silicone/dialectric grease.So when you place the thermostat in the housing it stays put,so you have to torque it down....Vasoline will melt and disapear and not cause any floating pieces in the coolant.

vtruong1

Ok thanks for reply...guess I'll be flushing again...