Changing Thermostat - RTV Sealant
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Seattle
Changing Thermostat - RTV Sealant
Newbie here guys.
Just inherited a 92 Dak Sport V6. Had been sitting for a year or so.
Changed out the oil and did a complete tune-up.
Got a new thermostat and gasket.
Do I need to use a thin coat of RTV sealant on that "rubber" gasket?
Second question, looks like I have good access to the two bolts onto the block. Can't I just put a drain pan under the engine and unscrew those bolts, scrape the gasket area clean and drop a new stat in?
What direction does it go?
What am I missing?
Just inherited a 92 Dak Sport V6. Had been sitting for a year or so.
Changed out the oil and did a complete tune-up.
Got a new thermostat and gasket.
Do I need to use a thin coat of RTV sealant on that "rubber" gasket?
Second question, looks like I have good access to the two bolts onto the block. Can't I just put a drain pan under the engine and unscrew those bolts, scrape the gasket area clean and drop a new stat in?
What direction does it go?
What am I missing?
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NM
Its best to put a small amount of RTV on the gasket only not the thermostat. Yes you can do the way you described. When removing the housing and the thermostat remember the way it went on. To make it easier you may have to remove the AC compressor.
Champion
Joined: May 2008
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From: Apex, NC
There is a special rtv silicone specifically made for thermostats... use that. Don't use too much though, cause if it spreads out into the water passage as you tighten down the neck, it will break loose and you'll have rtv floating around in the cooling system.
Just put it in in the same direction the one you take out is sitting!
Also, don't just put a drain pan under the truck and take that neck off... actually go through the trouble of draining the radiator... it will be much less of a mess! Trust me, coolant can make a huge mess!
Just put it in in the same direction the one you take out is sitting!
Also, don't just put a drain pan under the truck and take that neck off... actually go through the trouble of draining the radiator... it will be much less of a mess! Trust me, coolant can make a huge mess!
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NM
If you do have AC you don't have to, but it makes it much easier to do it. Without AC I'm not sure if anything is in the way. Just take a look under the hood.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Seattle
My heater intake hose is slightly in the way but can be moved. With my socket extensions, I think I can get in there. Problem is getting the gasket flat and I think I'll need to drop the stat in the hole.
Adviseable?
Adviseable?
Last edited by jtdunc; Jan 24, 2010 at 04:51 PM.
Champion
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,839
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From: Apex, NC
I don't know about your truck Felipe, but on mine the alternator is in the way, not the AC compressor! The alternator is very easy to get off, remove the belt and then 2 bolts and set it aside (you don't have to unbolt all the wires). Taking that off frees up a lot of space!
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Joined: Jul 2009
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You can do it without removing anything it's just a real PITA to scrape the old gasket off of the intake.
If you do when you put it back together you can put the stat in, use some gasket sealer/RTV/whatever and use it to stick the gasket to the waterneck.
If you do when you put it back together you can put the stat in, use some gasket sealer/RTV/whatever and use it to stick the gasket to the waterneck.