Thermostat leak
 

Am I...

1. Overfilling the radiator
2. Overfilling the reservoir
3. Installing gasket backwards...In pic below is red circle facing down on top of thermostat or facing up towards thermostat cover...does it matter.
4. Bolts are not original but they are are the same length. Match em' up at home depot.


Got everything else going....drain cock finally good to go. Fans not kicking on expect when running AC but hey that's another thread I guess.

Please someone tell me what I am doing wrong. Thanks.
It's a freakin gasket and thermostat jeez....This is ridiculous hehehehehe

thermostat goes first, then the gasket. I didn't have to put silicone on it personally. Make sure both sides of the water neck are cleaned up and flat.

That is correct. I installed it this way. Thermo first. Housing is brand new...Along with thermo cover. Both from Rosenthal.
The ONLY thing is not OEM is the bolts.

I didn't use a sealant either...but lots of people don't. Every reply on here is "dude the gasket is your sealant."

Guidance??? ideas???

where is the leak at? You sure its not left-over coolant dripping down?

No it's not left over coolant. It's fresh. It's coming from around the thermostat gasket. It doesn't make any sense. New thermostat, new housing, new thermo cover. It just leaks. Gotta be a reason. I guess I gotta use a sealant.

do you have access to a belt sander? make sure all the matting surfaces are truly flat.

They are all completely flat yes. I made sure of that. It's never had a gasket on it. Virgin material. Is that the problem? It's flat as a fiddle though.

Skip gasket use high temp sealant, see what happens.

I found Jayce's leaking this weekend as well. Tightened it up and cracked the housing. Luckily I had just completed my coolant reroute and had a spare housing. Mine was leaking after the coolant reroute and I was using a napa gasket. I ended up buying on from Rosenthal with that little ring on the inside.

I think JC needs to do the same. I also believe the sticky side goes on the housing not the thermostat correct?

i wouldn't reuse that gasket. but either use a gasket or rtv sealant (Ultra Gray), not both. if you use rtv, then you have to wait untill it fully cures before you fill the fluid back up.


I dont see where it's leaking in the pics. The fans only come on when you hit 207°F. So that's good they arent coming on.