Thermostat housing leak

[sparks57]

Buddy of mine found that I have a thermostat housing leak... a pretty hefty one. What do I need to fix it?



I'm still learning about how to fix these things... I learned it backwards! First I learned how to break them!

 

[Greenleaf]

Chris,



I have installed many a thermo into a 5. 9, however, none due to a leak. When you get a "new" thermo it is supplied with a new seal. Large rubber square cut ring.



The housing is pulled off to wards the alt. and the thermo comes out with it, retained in the housing by said seal. Clean all the metallic components real well with a wire brush/die grinder and install new seal.



Scott

 

[sparks57]

Ok, so I only need a seal?



Thanks.

 

[dpuckett]

CB,

aint been back in school a week, and you're already jumpy as a cat and breakin stuff. Sheezz. ANyway, if the truck isnt overheating, I'd say you just need a new gasket. It's about $5-8 at Checker, Carquest, et al. I have a spare from my HG kit, but it'd probably be more than the thing is worth to ship it out to ya.



Daniel



PS- be sure to drain about 2 gal out of the rad before changing it, or you'll have a big mess.

 

[sparks57]

What about the updated thermostat that doesn't drop so much? How much do they cost, and are they still available?



I figure I might as well upgrade while I'm in there.

 

[MMiller]

I just bought a new t stat from the local cummins shop. About $25 and it has the gasket(oring) to do the reseal.



Are you sure its comming from the t stat housing? When my head gasket started leaking coolant a year ago, I first thought it was comming from the t-stat housing. In the end it was leaking coolant from the head gasket right under the t stat.



Michael

 

[sparks57]

I'm leaking a lot of coolant... I think too much for it to be the head gasket, but I could be wrong. I've been warned about the head gasket leaking in that area. Thanks for the input!

 

[dpuckett]

If it is leaking that bad, also check the heater hose returns. They are close by, and if you keep the engine bay like Mom's you may not be able to trace it exactly. Tighten all clamps and bolts, then see how it goes.

Mine has a leak, but it is in the rad itself, bottom of fill neck. It seems to have levelled off at about 3qts low. Doesnt overheat, but I keep an eye on it just in case. Looks like time to get out the old J-B and fix it.



Daniel

 

[sparks57]

The leak is definately comming from the thermostat housing itself, and I have checked all the other hoses. I'm losing like a quart or more a week.



I'm also loosing quite a bit of oil still. About 2 quarts every 3k miles. It only leaks when the engine is running (never leaks just sitting) and the drip marks make a neat line on the ground right where the front edge of the oil pan is.



I was up driving in snow, and when I got out (the oil drips for a while after I stop) I noticed the nice little line of black drops.



I really hope maybe just going under and tightening up bolts will help.



If the new t-stat is only $25, then I will definately get one because I hate how it dumps like that.

 

[RGT]

if you are leaking oil from around your front cover that could mean you have bolts loose inside... ... I had a small leak from the lifter valley cover(not sure proper name) that was coming down the back of the block, I snugged up the bolts that I could get to and that seems to have taken care of it, I think if your cover were loose toward the front of the engine it might leak where you are seeing it. I think the pump would have to come off to get at those front bolts, not positive as I have not done it though...

 

[sparks57]

Don't even get me started!!! I wouldn't be surprized if the front cover is still cracked too!



The dealer in Salmon is the worst dealership I have ever been to!!!! They charged me for so many thing they never did or did in a shotty manner!



They were supposed to have replaced the front cover on the engine because it was cracked... but I doubt they did anything even though they charged me quite a bit of money for it.



So either they didn't replace it at all, or they didn't replace is correctly.