Water pump pulley and thermostat housing

[Fdasch]

I’m replacing the water pump and thermostat in my 2001 Wrangler 4.0.

Is everyone torquing the thermostat housing or bolting on wrench tight? I’m going to use Permatex thermostat glue as well.

Also are the water pump pulley bolts supposed to be torqued at 22lbs like the water pump itself.

 

[KennethS]

Torquing to spec is the best, but I just do wrench tight.

 

[CJ with a TJ]

This is on my list, too. Have a waterpump on its way, I'm still using the original factory '02, I'm on borrowed time. Same with the radiator and heater core hoses.

Let me know if you run into any unexpected issues.

 

[Zorba]

Don't over torque the t-stat housing. I think 99.99999% of them have coplanarity issues, if yours does, you'll crack it. I used Permatex on mine as well.

 

[Fdasch]

This is on my list, too. Have a waterpump on its way, I'm still using the original factory '02, I'm on borrowed time. Same with the radiator and heater core hoses.

Let me know if you run into any unexpected issues.

So far be careful with the old parts the thermostat housing was fragile and I cracked the housing when tightening the lower bolt before trying to torque it. Bought a new oem one and no issues with the torque

 

[Fdasch]

Don't over torque the t-stat housing. I think 99.99999% of them have coplanarity issues, if yours does, you'll crack it. I used Permatex on mine as well.

Yeah mine broke not even torquing it. New oem is fine

 

[CharlesHS]

As others have posted "Be careful when torquing the T stat housing bolts" so as not to crack the housing.
I have even seen the threaded holes in the head crack....
Years ago to resolve that problem we cut a small groove in the crack, cleaned thoroughly with acetone, filled the groove with JB Weld and let cure over night.
AFAIK the problem remained resolved after 10+ years.

 

[CJ with a TJ]

So far be careful with the old parts the thermostat housing was fragile and I cracked the housing when tightening the lower bolt before trying to torque it. Bought a new oem one and no issues with the torque

Appreciate the heads up!!!

 

[Fdasch]

Also if you’re buying OEM watch pricing. Bought mine from local dealer here in South Florida instead of ordering online from a place like rock auto $56. Most dealers wanted around $86 the dealer I got it from charged me more than that. My son picked it up for me so I don’t realize it until It got home.

I need to get it back on the road so I don’t have to drive my son around anymore.

Moral of this if you have time research pricing.

So far be careful with the old parts the thermostat housing was fragile and I cracked the housing when tightening the lower bolt before trying to torque it. Bought a new oem one and no issues with the torque

also when taking off and reinstalling the water pump pulley bolts the pulley will spin. Keeping the belt on and loosening the bolts helps. When putting them back on I used a strap wrench I got from Home Depot. You don’t need a lot of pressure when tightening the bolts so this helped. I torqued the pulley bolts to 22 ft lbs just like the water pump.

 

[ColoJeep]

FYI , I just used the serpentine belt and clamped a small Vise-grip on each side of the belt back to make a handle , worked for me.