coolant leak
02-09-2012, 08:40 PM
#1
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Location: little rock, ar
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coolant leak
I recently changed a leaky water pump on my 96 Regal 3.8 along with a new 195 thermostat, rubber seal and paper gasket for the thermo housing. It looks like antifreeze is wicking through the paper gasket and down on the block and bellhousing. I was really careful cleaning the housing and tried not to scratch the surface to prevent leaks. What did I do wrong? All the bolts are tight along with the hose clamps.
02-10-2012, 04:40 PM
#2
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Those don't use a paper seal. The pressure of the top housing on the rubber in the small depression for it seals it to the thermostat and the lower housing.
02-10-2012, 06:42 PM
#4
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I'd put some RTV on the paper gasket and put it back if it were me, because I looked my thermostat over and could not see how the rubber ring on the side of it would seal the thermostat housing to the LIM where it screws into.
Should one not use both gaskets?
I thought you had to use both...
I put the rubber one around my thermostat, and used the paper one on top, even out a little RTV on it, so far I have had no leaks at all.
Should one not use both gaskets?
I thought you had to use both...
I put the rubber one around my thermostat, and used the paper one on top, even out a little RTV on it, so far I have had no leaks at all.
02-11-2012, 03:27 PM
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coolant leaks
Thank everyone for the hints,help and cures for my problems. It'* turned really cold here in Little Rock so it'll be a few days before I can get to it but I will report my findings and the fix. 
02-12-2012, 08:10 AM
#6
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Be sure the thermostat edge is in the slit in the middle of the rubber ring. When compressed the o-ring seals around the edge of the stat.
My question is whether the taper of the o-ring goes down toward the engine or up.
02-12-2012, 03:53 PM
#7
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The lower intake has a recessed area for the o-ring. But the top compresses the rubber ring forming the seal.
Be sure the thermostat edge is in the slit in the middle of the rubber ring. When compressed the o-ring seals around the edge of the stat.
My question is whether the taper of the o-ring goes down toward the engine or up.
Be sure the thermostat edge is in the slit in the middle of the rubber ring. When compressed the o-ring seals around the edge of the stat.
My question is whether the taper of the o-ring goes down toward the engine or up.
As for the taper, I am pretty sure the tapered part goes in towards the engine, if you put the gasket on the thermostat and drop it in it should fit properly with tapered side toward engine, as long as my memory serves me correctly..
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