What did you do to your TJ today?
- Thread starter LJRubiconGuy
- Start date
Atomicat
Member
Shined up Betty White. Spent the week replacing steering box, steering shaft and a mangled front axle control arm bracket.
I definitely need some help with the leaking thermostat housing.
That's what it is doing.
Thermostat housing
Thermostat
Gasket - Fel-Pro from my local auto parts store
I replaced the water pump and replaced the thermostat, gasket, and thermostat housing while I was in there. This is my first time doing something major like this, and it went surprisingly well until I got to test it. It is currently leaking distilled water from the bottom of the thermostat housing. I've tried to reseat the thermostat and housing at least twice after I discovered the initial leak. I was very, very careful to not disturb the thermostat since it sits in there just by gravity and it is easily moved.
I've tried 3 times now and I need help.
Anything else I should try to fix this leak from the thermostat housing?
That's what it is doing.
Thermostat housing
Thermostat
Gasket - Fel-Pro from my local auto parts store
I replaced the water pump and replaced the thermostat, gasket, and thermostat housing while I was in there. This is my first time doing something major like this, and it went surprisingly well until I got to test it. It is currently leaking distilled water from the bottom of the thermostat housing. I've tried to reseat the thermostat and housing at least twice after I discovered the initial leak. I was very, very careful to not disturb the thermostat since it sits in there just by gravity and it is easily moved.
I've tried 3 times now and I need help.
Anything else I should try to fix this leak from the thermostat housing?
Repainted side steps, license plate holder, and fuel cap insert.
Pretty sure mine wasn't that clean when it was new
RFAASRMA
TJ Enthusiast
Serviced my drum brakes today which was likely the first time they’ve been touched for 193k miles. E-brake cables on both sides were snapped and springs were missing in each drum. Both lines ended up needing to be cut and re-flared. It was no picnic but the end result is night and day compared to how they felt yesterday.
That plate holder in the photo is a Rusty’s Offrod product. It mounts in the same location as the stock mount does.
I have a “Doyle” rivet gun from harbor freight.
Hard to say but I'm not convinced your thermostat has stayed in place, looks like there is a gap between the housing and the block. Fair bit of water flowing from it as well.
Mudflat
TJ Enthusiast
Here’s how you correct your speedometer when you change tire size or gear ratios. ‘Super easy!
Mudflat
TJ Enthusiast
My son drives a 2012 Eco Boost in an F-150. I’m not sure how many miles, but no problems.
Mudflat
TJ Enthusiast
I agree!!!
One of the first things I do with all of my vehicles is take all of the dealer badges/stickers off. My vehicles aren't free mobile billboards.Andy
I agree. I hate that crap.
How does a Jeep that clean manage to get a mangled control arm bracket?
Cheap extended control arms that don’t have at least one joint at the end that flexes/pivots? Just a guess
I used a dremel with a thin wire wheel to clean the grove out that the TStat sits in, then used 3/8" rtv sealant top and bottom in the groove. Let sit for about 15 mins to hold it before I bolted the housing back on. Mine is 06, about 8Ok on it. I debated on a new housing but worked okay. I used multiple straight razors and a clean wire brush I had. Also cleaned with brake cleaner on a blue paper shop towel, dont spay directly on it. You may need to clean the groove more? Or get a new housing?
Hang in there. Ill continue to watch your posts.
Did you clean the engine block and where the thermostat sits, and by clean, really really clean it before you put on the new gasket? Make sure the new T stat hosing is perfectly flat and not warped, You may need a dab of RTV to make sure the T stat isn’t sliding down and the bolts should also be tightened evenly.
Last resort, and you *shouldn't need it, but you wouldn’t be the first one here to use some waterpump RTV Permatex 22071 Water Pump and Thermostat RTV Silicone Gasket, 0.5 oz., 0.5 Ounce , blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007TQW60/?tag=wranglerorg-20
I just took the thermostat housing off for the 3rd time. It was sitting properly this time. I ended up going and getting a different thermostat housing in case the one that I got was bad. I'll try again tomorrow.
This is frustrating.
Atomicat
Member
How does a Jeep that clean manage to get a mangled control arm bracket?
Leftover repair from PO. Figured I'd take care of it while working on the other steering junk.
The T-stat housings are notorious for coplanarity issues. If you have a flat enough surface - like a stone countertop - you can check it. If it rocks, it isn't flat. You can "try" to sand it flat, but the real solution is to have it milled flat. With that said, I simply glopped both sides of the gasket with good ol' #2 Permatex and no more leaks. YMMV and all that.