Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) OMG, lost my rubber

[GAmes]

... ... ... ... . around the thermostat that is. Pulled it out planning on replacing it anyway, with a new radiator. It was there 50k miles ago, now totally gone. Any guesses where it ended up? I can't find a trace.

 

[JGK]

Gary, Gary, Gary...



Are you sure its not still in the block where the T-stat fits? They blend in pretty well!



If it's not there, I haven't a clue! They usually lodge themselves in the T-stat itself. That's a new one!



-Jay

 

[GAmes]

I pulled the housing completely off and looked inside the block. I don't think it could go backwards into the block, but I looked anyway. Not in the housing, not in the upper hose. It must be in the radiator somewhere. I have seen them lodged also. Any idea what the rubber ring is for?

 

[JGK]

As a seal is the only thing I can think of. To be honest, until I got my CTD I think I've only replaced one T-stat prior to that and I can't recall that there was such a rubber part. The only other use for it, I think, is something that can be lost and/or dislodged that forces you to replace the T-stat!



I'll quit messin' with you now and let someone with a better idea possibly reply.



-Jay

 

[GAmes]

Thanks Jay, but I don't think anyone else knows either. I've seen quite a few thermostats, but the Cummins one is the only one I've seen with the ring.

Oh, the up and down temp gauge is still happening with the new one. I read somewhere that Cummins had changed the design to stop that.

 

[JGK]

I noticed mine was reading low a few months ago before it got really cold and thought the rubber ring on mine had moved. So I bought a new Cummins T-stat and replaced it. The rubber ring was right where it's supposed to be, but I replaced it anyway. This one is reading low like the previous one! And the box was marked as a 180* T-stat. But that's what I took out. So I don't know. I'll re-evaluate when the temps get warm.



I'd normally suggest you just drive it until something else happens but I know you rely on your truck for long distance hauling so I'm not so sure that's the best idea. Don't need to be stuck out in the weeds somewhere again!



-Jay

 

[GAmes]

Oh, be sure that I'll drive it. I've put about 500 miles on it and it runs fine, just has that annoying climbing and falling gauge again. I'm sure that what is left of the ring is in the old radiator.

 

[HOT0124valve]

powersmokes have them but they smash to make the seal but they come off once ever now and then and lodge in the rad nothing to big to worry about i would think.

do you have a boar scope? if you do you could drain the rad and look around inside to see if its in there. the only thing i can think it would do worst case would be it has broke up in tiny pieces and plug up a core or two

 

[upsyes]

I have a 97 and was traveling on vaca when I developed overheating/overcooling problems. I purchased a new t-stat from cummins and when I pulled of my t-stat housing low and behold that rubber sleeve was pulled into the t-stat body at a 45 degree angle and was about to be sucked into the cooling system. It had stuck my T-stat wide open and was pure luck that I pulled it off when I did. Prior to replacing it I had gone thru a long period of no heat and a zero reading on my temp gauge on the dash. I never did get a overheat reading after the initial one on our trip. It seemed to settle down and I'm sure it was all because of the rubber sleeve that is an integral part of the oem t-stat. I highly recommend that any one who has never replaced their t-stat or not in a long time do so every so often as a precautionary measure. I would hate to have to go digging for that rubber sleeve! What a dumb design!!! Replced the water pump at the same time. Total for all... 2 hours plus 3. 5 gallons of anti-freeze mixture. Very easy job for even a novice. As a side note, that t-stat was a BEAR to get out of the housing. I had to rip it out with a channel lock pliers. Eric