Thermostat Gasket or Silicone?

[RgrDrvr]

I am changing my thermostat and for some reason cant get a gasket from any parts stores around - we´re in Mexico at the moment. I can get a thermostat, just no gasket.

My question is before I open up the housing - do I need a gasket to replace the thermostat or can I use some hi temp silicone? I have used silicone before on other vehicles with no problems but some of them need a gasket to get the thermostat to seal properly, otherwise it is loose in the housing. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[aggoodin]

Silicone or hi temp RTV it to get out of Mexico and then get your proper gasket when you get back.

 

[RgrDrvr]

Thanks for the fast reply, the thing is it´s actually a family member´s truck and they live in Mexico - it was originally from the US but now the truck lives in Mexico.

I guess the short answer is that it does in fact need a gasket.

 

[Psychopete]

The only thing I can think of is finding one online, or I believe a new coolant neck comes w/ gasket (you'd have to check in the box). That would be an expensive gasket though ($20?). Nothing pisses me off more than scraping off caked on RTV.

Pete

 

[rickcdewitt]

the thermostat has a rubber seal around its edge to seal the housing.it should come in the box with the thermostat.no gasket or silicon needed

 

[2manyfords]

the thermostat has a rubber seal around its edge to seal the housing.it should come in the box with the thermostat.no gasket or silicon needed

And chances are you can reuse the old rubber seal if the new t-stat doesn't have one with it.

 

[grnrngr]

FWIW, I've replaced lots and lots of thermostats and never used a gasket, used good ol Permatex #2. Kind of a pain to get the crap off later, but it works. Back in the day, I remember reading about the Permatex people building a race motor and racing it with no gaskets at all, everything was sealed with Permatex.

 

[hidesertrat]

the thermostat has a rubber seal around its edge to seal the housing.it should come in the box with the thermostat.no gasket or silicon needed

Just like he said: The gasket/o-ring should come in the box with the T-stat. Just replaced mine and that was the case.

If not, use the old one, have someone mail you one, go on-line....

 

[gotmudd]

Just like he said: The gasket/o-ring should come in the box with the T-stat. Just replaced mine and that was the case.

If not, use the old one, have someone mail you one, go on-line....

if it does in fact need a gasket you can do the old farm trick of taking a cardboard cereal box and tracing your thermostat housing on it and cutting it out and use a little pematex , has worked for me without problems

 

[BlackBII]

if it does in fact need a gasket you can do the old farm trick of taking a cardboard cereal box and tracing your thermostat housing on it and cutting it out and use a little pematex , has worked for me without problems

I've done that also, works great...

 

[RgrDrvr]

Thanks guys, Im on it.