Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Thermostat Housing Bolt Torque

[storm'in]

Did a fluid change last weekend (used Rotella ELC) and I'm having trouble getting the bolts to even torque to 5 ft. lbs. Has anybody recently had the same problem? I go 1/2 a turn and they don't even seem to get any tighter. This is freaking me out guys, I think I may have striped the threads in the head I did a search and found that 12 Nm (8. 75 ft. lbs. ) was the spec. torque at the dealer. The service manual specs. 18Nm which seems way high. There is fluid seeping out of the housing and I can smell it in the cab. Any insight will be appreciated.

TIA--Dave

 

[jwilliams3]

12

10NM is plenty. 12NM will be the high side of the torque spec.



Make sure your torque wrench is a good one and is working properly.



If you torque it up and it seeps or keeps leaking use a dab of Permatex orange gasket maker around the edge of the pipe to make it seal up.



18NM stated in the TECH manual is INCORRECT.