Coolant leak

[taxman]

Last week I noticed coolant on the ground. It does not appear that any of the hoses were leaking so I replaced the water pump (vehicle as 190k miles so it was probably due for a new one anyway). After installing the new pump, I noticed a slow leak that appears to be coming from the thermostat housing. I installed a new thermostat when the new water pump was installed. To be honest, I am not sure that is not where the initial leak was coming from. I installed a new gasket when the new thermostat was installed. The thermostat bolts are torqued to the proper spec (in fact, they are a bit) more because when I noticed the leak, I tightened them down a bit more. I am hesitant to tighten them down any more for fear of snapping off the head. Any ideas why it would be leaking?

Thanks

 

[Big Mama]

Did you use a gasket or RTV? Some folks use both. The housing can get a little uneven over time. Don’t tighten them more try what I mentioned and make sure both surfaces are perfectly clean before applying

 

[taxman]

Did you use a gasket or RTV? Some folks use both. The housing can get a little uneven over time. Don’t tighten them more try what I mentioned and make sure both surfaces are perfectly clean before applying

I only used the supplied thermostat gasket. No RTV. I will give that a try.

Thanks

 

[thompsoj22]

I only used the supplied thermostat gasket. No RTV. I will give that a try.

Thanks

Replace the housing/gasket and use your new thermostat. JMO, RTV should never be used in wet environments whether oil/coolant/fuel. They make sealants designed for oil/coolant/fuel. RTV in any color or marketing ploy is not a sealant for "wet" environments. just look at any filter screen of any place it's used and it will prove my opinion. Clean,dry,flat and evenly torqued will work every time.

 

[Rocket Man]

What brand of water pump did you use? If it's not ACDelco or Gates or similar I would suspect the supplied gasket. Try a new brand-name gasket and torque the water pump bolts in a criss-cross pattern and only to the specified torque. Over tightening only causes more trouble/leaking.

 

[Big Mama]

Agreed on rtv if that’s all you use but a thin layer spread on the gasket helps it hold in place and seal well jmho