Im trying to nail down this coolant leak on my 86 Bronco (302 motor, auto)..

I changed the thermostat & seal after finding that the seal was shot and was leaking. Cleaned the surfaces thoroughly between the thermostat housing and whatever it mounts to on the engine before bolting everything back up. (im assuming the thermostat housing bolts to the intake manifold) It looks like there is a steady drip about 3" BEHIND the thermostat housing. It is steady, about 1 drop every 2 seconds or so. If i squeeze the top rad hose, the drip intensifies.

What is behind the thermostat housing, is there a sensor under there that can go bad and leak? Some sort of fitting or hose that can not be seen from the top?

 

Maxt,

Leaks like you describe can be deceiving as to their source. Could be the leak is at the thermo housing and just runs back. Does this leak look just like the one you had before you replaced the thermostat and seal? I always use RTV on the new thermostat gasket just to be sure of no leaks. Spray a coat of Permatex Gold on the gasket on both sides or coat it with blue RTV on both sides before you install the housing. Also, your leak might be coming from the hose connection at the thermo housing. Try removing the hose and coating the inside of the hose with RTV. See if that doesn't cure your leak.

John