Leaky Thermostat
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Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
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Leaky Thermostat
Bumping around checking my fluid levels today I found what looks to be a very slow coolant leak coming from the bottom of Thermostat where it bolts onto the motor. The bolts are tight, I can only imagine the o-ring is shot. The thermostat itself is working fine, and there is not a noticable change in my coolant levels.
So since i am going to be messing with it anyway, I figure this is a good time to do my 203 Thermostat mod. Just wanted to know if any of you had any helpful tips, never removed a Thermostat before.
I realize I have to release all of my coolant, but I figure there shouldn't be any issue in re-using my current coolant as long as I put it in a clean container. I only have like 9,000 miles on it. Also, where is the best place to purchase the 203? There is an International dealer just down the street, I can easily drop by there to pick one up. Just looking for tips, tricks, warnings, words of widsom.
So since i am going to be messing with it anyway, I figure this is a good time to do my 203 Thermostat mod. Just wanted to know if any of you had any helpful tips, never removed a Thermostat before.
I realize I have to release all of my coolant, but I figure there shouldn't be any issue in re-using my current coolant as long as I put it in a clean container. I only have like 9,000 miles on it. Also, where is the best place to purchase the 203? There is an International dealer just down the street, I can easily drop by there to pick one up. Just looking for tips, tricks, warnings, words of widsom.
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Here is where I got mine. http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...rodID=186&HS=1You can also get the billet housing here.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 1
From: Farmington, Minnesota
Originally Posted by Smokin'
Bumping around checking my fluid levels today I found what looks to be a very slow coolant leak coming from the bottom of Thermostat where it bolts onto the motor. The bolts are tight, I can only imagine the o-ring is shot. The thermostat itself is working fine, and there is not a noticable change in my coolant levels.
So since i am going to be messing with it anyway, I figure this is a good time to do my 203 Thermostat mod. Just wanted to know if any of you had any helpful tips, never removed a Thermostat before.
I realize I have to release all of my coolant, but I figure there shouldn't be any issue in re-using my current coolant as long as I put it in a clean container. I only have like 9,000 miles on it. Also, where is the best place to purchase the 203? There is an International dealer just down the street, I can easily drop by there to pick one up. Just looking for tips, tricks, warnings, words of widsom.
So since i am going to be messing with it anyway, I figure this is a good time to do my 203 Thermostat mod. Just wanted to know if any of you had any helpful tips, never removed a Thermostat before.
I realize I have to release all of my coolant, but I figure there shouldn't be any issue in re-using my current coolant as long as I put it in a clean container. I only have like 9,000 miles on it. Also, where is the best place to purchase the 203? There is an International dealer just down the street, I can easily drop by there to pick one up. Just looking for tips, tricks, warnings, words of widsom.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 649
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From: Charleston SC
Go ahead and do it...
Go to this websight...
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=186
That should be the link to the 203 thermostat and the bottom has the billet housing. Santa also brought these saturday so it will be a project for next weekend. I put it off long enough. While you are at it, go for the filter kit too. I put mine on last summer and when I changed the first filter, I drained the water in a cup, then cut the filter with a set of tin snips and got HUGE pile of crap out of the water....well worth the investment and very easy to install....2 major things you can do to save your water pump and engine..
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=186
That should be the link to the 203 thermostat and the bottom has the billet housing. Santa also brought these saturday so it will be a project for next weekend. I put it off long enough. While you are at it, go for the filter kit too. I put mine on last summer and when I changed the first filter, I drained the water in a cup, then cut the filter with a set of tin snips and got HUGE pile of crap out of the water....well worth the investment and very easy to install....2 major things you can do to save your water pump and engine..
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 1
From: Farmington, Minnesota
Originally Posted by DaveWilliams
Go to this websight...
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=186
That should be the link to the 203 thermostat and the bottom has the billet housing. Santa also brought these saturday so it will be a project for next weekend. I put it off long enough. While you are at it, go for the filter kit too. I put mine on last summer and when I changed the first filter, I drained the water in a cup, then cut the filter with a set of tin snips and got HUGE pile of crap out of the water....well worth the investment and very easy to install....2 major things you can do to save your water pump and engine..
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=186
That should be the link to the 203 thermostat and the bottom has the billet housing. Santa also brought these saturday so it will be a project for next weekend. I put it off long enough. While you are at it, go for the filter kit too. I put mine on last summer and when I changed the first filter, I drained the water in a cup, then cut the filter with a set of tin snips and got HUGE pile of crap out of the water....well worth the investment and very easy to install....2 major things you can do to save your water pump and engine..
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
From: Irmo, SC
This is where I got mie http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=186 might just want to get the billet housing also. You dont have to drain all the coolant just enough to get the thermostat housing off.
edit: I HATE DIALUP
edit: I HATE DIALUP
Last edited by totin_tools; Jan 13, 2008 at 08:23 PM.
Thread Starter
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Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
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Great information guys, thank you. I'm glad I didn't make a trip to the IH dealer. It says the billet housing is on backorder until the 21st of January, that sucks! Oh well. It's not an active leak and I think she can stand to wait a little while for the parts to ship in.
I too am curious what filter kit you are talking about. Do you have a link?
I too am curious what filter kit you are talking about. Do you have a link?
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Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
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From: Grand Lake, La.
I think this is the filter he was talking about. http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...WPROD&ProdID=8
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Charleston SC
[QUOTE=miller_feed]I think this is the filter he was talking about. http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8[/QUOTE]
Exactly the kit I was talking about. It was relatively easy to install and really does the job. Combined with the 203 this makes the upgrade complete. Might as well do it all at the same time. I just had to move my sending unit for the water temp up to the filter head. It shows about 5* less water temp but it's no big deal, I still like having a mechanical gauge for the water temp.
Exactly the kit I was talking about. It was relatively easy to install and really does the job. Combined with the 203 this makes the upgrade complete. Might as well do it all at the same time. I just had to move my sending unit for the water temp up to the filter head. It shows about 5* less water temp but it's no big deal, I still like having a mechanical gauge for the water temp.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,714
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From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
Lisa
you can not get the stat at IH any way..it needs to be from dieselsite this is why
Although International still uses a 203<SUP>o</SUP> thermostat in some applications and that thermostat is available at most auto parts stores, it is the wrong part for the 1996 - 2003 Powerstroke. DO NOT USE THIS! It has a shorter shaft and will not shut off the internal pump bypass. This will cause inaccurate coolant flow direction through the engine. This IH version thermostat mentioned is available by calling us.
you can not get the stat at IH any way..it needs to be from dieselsite this is why
Although International still uses a 203<SUP>o</SUP> thermostat in some applications and that thermostat is available at most auto parts stores, it is the wrong part for the 1996 - 2003 Powerstroke. DO NOT USE THIS! It has a shorter shaft and will not shut off the internal pump bypass. This will cause inaccurate coolant flow direction through the engine. This IH version thermostat mentioned is available by calling us.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,101
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From: Henderson, NV
Smokin, lubricate the rubber seal with some kind of silicone-based lubricant so it can slide around a bit when you install the billet housing. The stupid seal is a square-section o-ring that likes to lift an edge if there is any friction between the seal and the housing at all. When that happens, it will leak as it if it wasn't there.
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Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
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Originally Posted by FordTruckNoob
Smokin, lubricate the rubber seal with some kind of silicone-based lubricant so it can slide around a bit when you install the billet housing. The stupid seal is a square-section o-ring that likes to lift an edge if there is any friction between the seal and the housing at all. When that happens, it will leak as it if it wasn't there.
NSF250 - We were messing around in there yesterday and everything looks like it's in relatively good shape, bolts included. I'll keep my fingers crossed we don't have any problems.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 694
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From: SE WI
Originally Posted by Smokin'
Thanks Leonard! I'd hate for that to happen, i'd be a little verklempt!!
NSF250 - We were messing around in there yesterday and everything looks like it's in relatively good shape, bolts included. I'll keep my fingers crossed we don't have any problems.
NSF250 - We were messing around in there yesterday and everything looks like it's in relatively good shape, bolts included. I'll keep my fingers crossed we don't have any problems.