Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Thermostat leak again

[JRS]

I am out of ideas. I have a weeping thermostat housing that I have changed the following on:

1: new gaskets (four times)

2: new thermostat housing (once)

3: new thermostat housing bolts (once)



It all started when I changed the thermostat/water pump during preventative maintenance. the weeping only happens when I am towing, I can drive 5,000 miles empty with no problems. The minute I latch on to my 6,000 lb. trailer, I end up with antifreeze seeping out of the gasket and blowing back on the heater lines. The only thing I have left is to try another new thermostat, but I doubt this is the problem.

 

[RM]

head gasket

im sorry to say but i think you may have a bad headgasket. not really uncommon. ill tell ya how to tell for sure. clean the area up real good. use brake clean and get very dry. especially around the area just behind the thermostat where the head tucks in. when its dry use softndry underarm deotorant. the real powderry kind that ya spray on and coat everything real good let dry the take truck for drive. if it dont leak not pulling then pull something tell ya get it real hot. look at it several times when it starts leaking the softndry is white and the antifreeze will stain it and it will stick out like a soar thump. these headgaskets have silicone around the water ports and there very close to the side especially right at this spot. and im sorry to say this may be youre problem. my 96 it was ron

 

[JRS]

glad to say, I can see where the fluid is leaking and I'm fairly positive it's the thermostat housing. I've been cleaning the area with brake cleaner and watching it for about 4 months now. if you want, you can send me an email and I will forward you a photo of the area. I might be wrong and another pair of eyes wouldn't hurt.

 

[tp0d]

time for a new housing? I think i may have to agree with ron, the leak only while towing is a sign of excess heat being moved, and heat causes pressure, which would cause a very small leak on the h/g to weep... , you may have a molding crack on the housing. . ? anythings possible. .



-j



edit-----



and todays yer lucky day. . theres 2 of em on ebay for cheap. .



happy surfin. .



http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...R8&satitle=dodge+diesel+thermostat&category0=

 

[JRS]

Just changed the housing last week. new one was cheap from Cummins, around $40. I'm going to try another thermostat, since it is sandwiched between the two square cut gaskets. I'm trying all the easy stuff before I give up and take it to Cummins for a new head gasket. would imagine that is $$$$$.