Can't get seal around thermostat (photos included)

[bbb0777]

What's up with this? Two different thermostats (one from O'Reilly's, one a NAPA Premium). I have the thermostat housing out of engine, put in thermostat, run tap water through other end - water leaks around thermostat. That's not normal/correct, right?

Photos to show how much water/thermostats/inside of housing:
http://imgur.com/a/phcyF

So this 1995 Ford Ranger 2.3L has always had a somewhat cool running engine. The needle doesn't move much past the lower line, and hooking up an OBD2 adapter - just idling, it'll eventually reach 181 after ~18 minutes, but no higher than that. Feeling the upper radiator hose, it heats up gradually, instead of staying cold then suddenly going hot (like it should, right?)

When driving, it'll range from 178-191. The thermostat was a 192 degree one.

So...any idea what's wrong? Months ago I tried a Motocraft thermostat - same relatively-cool running engine. That was before I was faucet-testing anything, though.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I don't know the 2.3 but all thermostats I've seen have a "jiggle valve" to allow air to escape to the other side. That would allow water to pass too.

Richard

 

[bbb0777]

I don't know the 2.3 but all thermostats I've seen have a "jiggle valve" to allow air to escape to the other side. That would allow water to pass too.

Richard

The one thermostat definitely has a jiggle valve - the other doesn't have an apparent one, at least. They both seem to drain at the same rate.

Should a jiggle valve be allowing water to go through as quickly as in the photo?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Sorry, I don't know.

 

[brentmc]

Is it possible that the heater house outlet is allowing some water to get past the stat?

 

[XLTsplash]

When it's installed on the engine the head will press on the two metal thermostat tabs so that the thermostats rubber seal will seal against the housing.

 

[brentmc]

Is it possible that the heater house outlet is allowing some water to get past the stat?

WTH!?!? I replied to the wrong post!!! Guess I'm a retard...