need help, very frustrated
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
need help, very frustrated
i have a 94 F150 302 automatic. Im changing the thermostat and for the life of me i cant get it to seal. I replaced the main top hose, thermostat and gasket. Im on my second gasket, because after i could get it to seal the first time i pulled that gasket off to try again. The problem is it will leak water before i even turn on the engine. It seems to be leaking right underneith the thermostat neck. I need help, ive been fighting this for 2 days, and i have to work tomorrow.
Thanks
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
Or possibly it's been overtightened at some point, warping the ears a little. Put a piece of sandpaper, about 360 grit or so on a dead flat surface like a piece of heavy plate glass and run the sealing surface of the water neck over it a few times, then you can see from the sanding pattern if it's warped or not. And look very carefully for a crack as dano said above, you may have one that doesn't open up till you bolt the water neck down. -TD
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
Didnt see any physical damage on or around the neck. As a last resort im trying some gasket maker, i noticed that when i would use a gasket, to line up with the boltpatern it wouldnt seal close to the hose inlet but more towards the outside, it left some bare metal around the holes. Ill let it sit overnight. Thanks for the replies so quickly. Much appreciated.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 71
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From: East Tenn.
Probably not the solution for your problem, but I knew a race car driver that had a leak on his thermostat housing, it turned out to be the bolts had lost their tensile strength from constant removal. Replaced them and it was fine.
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
Fivestring, thanks for the advice, every littelbit counts, ill put that on my to pick up list, a few dollars is little to pay for a possible fix...if it doesnt fix them...then Hey, ill have shiny new bolts 
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 42
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From: Fort Worth, TX
The form a gasket so far has worked good, im draining all the water out and gonna put in some good ol antifreeze 50/50 and take it to work. Any one know how much liquid it will take? Friend of mine told me to drain it by the plug on the passenger side of the radiator. Then put in 1 gallon anti-freeze fallowed by 1 gallon water. I bought 2x 1 gallong of anti freeze so after the first gallon, i can make 2x 1gallon 50/50 mix to top off for the next couple of days.
Last edited by ForTiLLiaN; Jul 7, 2005 at 01:52 PM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
The system will take over 2 gallons, more towards 3. Depends on how much is still in the system after draining. The petcock on the radiator only drains the radiator and not the motor. You're best bet would be to pull the lower radiator hose off gently and let the coolant drain into a big pan. You'll be there all day using the petcock drain.