94 2.3 t-stat help

[DIYnewbie]

This thermostat is becoming too much damn work for me. Is there any simple way of reinstalling it and not have it leak? 1st attempt I found out I had the wrong one and coolant leaked like crazy, so I returned it and got the actual OE. 2nd attempt it fit in much nicer and also had to get another new gasket (tore up the first one) and used a gasket sealant on both sides, still leaks, although not as much this time. I'm pretty sure the thermostat isn't sitting right in the housing and was wanting to know of an easier way to get it in there right. I'm wanting this done today so I can finally get it back on the road, so any quick advice would be much appreciated, and thank you in advance.

 

[black_demon69]

This thermostat is becoming too much damn work for me. Is there any simple way of reinstalling it and not have it leak? 1st attempt I found out I had the wrong one and coolant leaked like crazy, so I returned it and got the actual OE. 2nd attempt it fit in much nicer and also had to get another new gasket (tore up the first one) and used a gasket sealant on both sides, still leaks, although not as much this time. I'm pretty sure the thermostat isn't sitting right in the housing and was wanting to know of an easier way to get it in there right. I'm wanting this done today so I can finally get it back on the road, so any quick advice would be much appreciated, and thank you in advance.

clean t stat housing and place t stat in housing then a thin film of rtv then gasket let set for a little while.. clean engine side of any gasket material then reinstall t stat housing.. refill and check for leaks



hope this helps

 

[DIYnewbie]

Finally got it finished. I ended up putting rtv on the engine then putting the gasket on there and let it seal. Then got the CORRECT t stat this time and twisted it in the housing til it was locked in. After all that though, the hardest part really was getting the bolts back in. Not very much room to work with and can't exactly get a straight shot in there, but eventually got it in there. And with no leaks this time.

Consider this job finished, FINALLY!