OK, broke the first one (because of my stupidity and I was in a rush)
Got a replacement Pulled out the fitting that holds the CTS and that has the outlet to the heater core. Now my question is I used thread sealant tape and the threads and tightened it....It is leaking, I tightened it alittle more but was afraid to put too much pressure on it as I was afraid of it leaking. So should I pull it back out and just reinstall that fitting with no tape on it?


ALSO I seem to have a leak where housing meets the head. I used a gasket from napa and put rtv on the side that didn't have the adhesive. Maybe I need to put it on both sides? Either way it's got to be a stupid simple fix right?

 

I figure ill just pull the housing out and pull the heater elbow off. Reinstall with no gasket and no thread tape this time. It's a small leak but annoying.

 

I'm surprised that someone actually managed to get the heater pipe off the thermostat housing.

Try using pipe dope to seal the threads instead of using Teflon tape. Pipe dope seals so much better.

For the thermostat housing, the housing has a lip that the thermostat sits into. Nothing is really needed there. You can put some Permatex Seal-a-gasket if you want to help hold the thermostat into position.

The thermostat gasket goes over it all. Again some Permatex will help hold it in position as you install it.

Check your thermostat housing carefully. Mine has a gouge in the bottom that cases it to weep. I should really replace it, but I can't get the heater pipe off. And all the heater pipes at the pick-a-part are all in bad (corroded) shape.

Also don't forget to take a scraper and clean all the old gasket off the head before install.

Also don't forget to let the Permatex Seal-a-gasket setup (ie turn tacky) before install. And don't forget to let the Permatex dry before you all coolant. I usually let it sit a few hours or overnight.

Good luck.

 

Yea it wasnt fun to get off. Put old housing in a vice and used a big *** crescent wrench to get it off.

Ill just redo everything this weekend and look for that pipe dope. Id imagine i can find it at a hardware store.

Yea i used a couple of dabs of pernatex on the tstat to hold it in place maybe it fell. Either way i appreciate the info you gave me itd be nice to get this situated

 

I learned to use a thin layer of petroleum jelly/Vaseline to keep the gaskets in place. It'll dry off eventually, but in the meantime, won't let the gasket dry out.

For the T stat, I simply use the gaskets with the pre-glued side. Peel, stick, install.

 

I used a similar gasket from napa. Perhaps i didnt tighten it enough as i was afraid of breaking another housing hahaha. I think i saw 19 ft lbs somewhere

 

I simply tightened mine finger tight, and then bit more.

No need to break out the cheater pipe, just good and snug.