leak from thermostat housing

dingobaz Learner Dubber

8 posts · joined Apr 2011 · 16 Apr 2011, 8:34 pm

#836064

Hi All,

Right, I just replaced my thermostat, new O-Ring with plumbers grease, tightened up the bolts, bled the system - as soon as the thermostat opens it starts leaking from the joint where the thermostat housing meets the engine body. I've removed the housing again to check I haven't done any damage or cracked it - everything seems fine - in fact I took the housing off three times to check the correct placement of the o-ring and carefully and evenly tightened the bolts up each time - it's still leaking.

Any ideas anyone? This has been driving me absolutely mad today.

Cheers guys.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 16 Apr 2011, 8:38 pm

#836067

sounds like u have a fine crack

Whats car is this on ???

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

dingobaz Learner Dubber

8 posts · joined Apr 2011 · 16 Apr 2011, 9:24 pm

#836083

its a 2001 golf 1.6 (mk4). I had a very good look at the housing - I can't see any cracks at all but always a chance I overtightened the bolts on my first attempt at reattaching I suppose.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 16 Apr 2011, 11:43 pm

#836109

dingobaz wrote:its a 2001 golf 1.6 (mk4). I had a very good look at the housing - I can't see any cracks at all but always a chance I over tightened the bolts on my first attempt at reattaching I suppose.

Hi
Virtually NO pressure is needed on a housing with an O ring...

the O ring seals just like a gasket....

Only better....

You could clean the housing.... thoroughly ...

and apply Silastic ... and tighten until there is a Gap of about 8-10mm then let it dry before tightening the bolts...

it may take an hour or so to dry...

actually, after an hour or so, or even overnight...
undo the bolts to make sure the SILASTIC is cured...

IF You are positive the silastic has cured...
tighten the bolts... Don't over tighten...

If it still leaks You need a new housing...

or at least need to find where the liquid is coming from..

cheers

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

dingobaz Learner Dubber

8 posts · joined Apr 2011 · 20 Apr 2011, 10:26 pm

#836799

Thanks Lee - I actually used Loctite Blue Gasket maker and it's done the trick a treat - no more leaks. Just noticed a slight smell of petrol in cabin (when the air conditioning is on) now I can actually drive it again - will have a proper look under the bonnet at the weekend for splits / loose connections.

Thinker Seriously Crusin Dubber

162 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 21 Apr 2011, 8:16 am

#836832

I have seen this many years ago on a mates Gemini when he had replaced the bolts, the problem was that the bolts where a fraction longer aNd the bolts bottomed out just before the faces sealed really hard to pick.
Gasket maker is great stuff to use.

1970 bug /1500 stock as a rock.
1976 standard bug ready to be modified 😁😁😁😁😁

Kombi_Rescue Wolfsburg Wizard

440 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 22 Apr 2011, 7:39 am

#837017

common problem ..replace the fitting they are cheap ......