Thermostat Housing (V6 2.7Liter)

[The Dodge]

I think I was born un-lucky or something!!! So Maggie started leaking coolant last week and I got her torn apart and all I could figure was the thermostat housing gasket was leaking. So I picked up a new t-stat, housing, housing gasket and two jugs of coolant (all from the dealership). Everything finally came in (our local dodge dealerships doesn't stalk much of anything) and I got everything put back together, bleed the system, started her up and after about 5 minutes of running I started seeing coolant leaking on the ground again. . . .REALLY?????? So I will be tearing stuff apart again, either tonight or tomorrow and find out where its leaking from. . . . .and no, the block is not cracked. . .thank God!!


On the Hose-Heater Return (PN# 04596755AC) there is a o-ring that is on the flange end. . .see picture.





The dealer ship could not pull up any part number for that o-ring but they could pull up the Hose-Heater Return pipe, but they did not have any there so I could look and see if that o-ring was on there (the part is dealer only and is $80!!!). So the thermostat (PN# 04663729AE) had a o-ring (it was the same size as the pipe, but no as fat as the old o-ring which as you can see is flattened) that came with it and I was assuming it was for the Hose-Heater Return pipe. . .I think that was wrong (since its still leaking). So, where do I get o-rings from and is there anyone who knows if there is a specific part number for that o-ring? I really do not want to go buy a $80 part just for the o-ring!!!


(oh yeah, the t-stat housing gasket was pretty flat and it looked like that was the original leak and now we have a new one or there was two leaks. . . .UUUHG!!)

[The Dodge]

Nobody has any input? So all the guys with the 2.7 Liter that have had to change out there t-stat and housing never had the heater pipe leak. . . .must just be me then. . . . .oh well, off to find some o-rings!!!

[Da Animal!!!!!!]

Well I just changed my air coolant bleeder and it comes with an O ring. Do u have coolant on ur block when u open ur hood?

[The Dodge]

I changed my coolant bleeder last year because it was leaking. This is thermostat housing and the o-ring I need is the one that is on the heater return hose/pipe.

[Da Animal!!!!!!]

I know. It's the same O ring used in the coolant bleeder. If u can't find it, measure the coolant opening and just buy a new O ri g from ur local auto parts store. Just make sure it's a thicker 1 and also when u put it on, put a lil silicone on just to ensure the sealant of the O ring.

[The Dodge]

The o-ring on the coolant bleeder is much larger then the one on the heater return hose/pipe down at the thermostat housing. I went to Harbor Freight, Autozone and Napa and no one has anything like this o-ring. The o-ring is about the 1 inch in diameter but it is a wide (almost square) or ring (if that makes sense).

[fnkychkn]

never seen that o-ring leak but might be your water pump.

[Da Animal!!!!!!]

Try some silicone to see if it will hold.

[The Dodge]

So if coolant was coming out the "weep hole" what would that mean??

[Da Animal!!!!!!]

Means u have no sealant between the pipe to hold the coolant in. Easy way to get the O ring u need, get the air coolant bleeder again and it give u the O ring u need.

[fnkychkn]

that would mean a new water pump, timing cover gasket/seal and 5-8 hours of labour to replace it.
depending on mileage, might also want to replace the timing chains/tensioners.