Some months ago i put in a new thermostat. Sometimes it will leak at this area(hose and t-stat housing). I dont have the hose all the way down it is a very small space. Can i loosen the clamp up some and move the hose down easy and without leaking antifreeze? Think it will stop leaking or is it the housing? Thanks

 

If you're talking about on top of the block, juse behind the water pump / altenator / and such, then it's really not that bad of a chore to take off the components you need to in order to get good access to the hose so you cna put it on right. You shouldn't have to remove the waterpump, but it's better to spend a bit of extra time now, then to spend a big of extra cash later.

 

it is at the top of the motor. The top hose goes to the t stat and it is not all the way down and i get someantifreeze on the lip of the housing

 

Just loosen the hose and push it all the way on. You will lose some antifreeze but in the end it will be worth it. Or your gasket could be leaking on the t-stat.

 

I agree with AeSix. On my 87 Ram 318 V8, I always removed the airpump along with the air cleaner and vacuum hoses to comfortably access the thermostat / housing / hose. Put some old rags around the area to sop up the minimal antifreeze when removing the hose. The t-housing itself has a tendency to get pitted and corroded at the lip and top sides which creates a poor seal and no matter of extra tightening or hose coverage can prevent a leak. I wouldn't attempt to just sand or file the pitts down. It's a common item and new housings may still be available at your local dodge dealer for cheap.

It's also critical that the t-stat goes into the recessed area of the t-stat housing followed by the gasket underneath contacting the intake manifold and creating a positive seal. A little coating of gasket cement is also cheap insurance. Use a new hose clamp if you can and position the screw so that it can be accessed with a long, thin screwdriver which slips between all the junk thats bolted on the motor up front for retightening later, especially if you are using a new hose. Just my 2 cents but I hope my blathering on helps.

Tim

 

Sounds silly, but I use vaseoline.
Was what my step dad used on all his old cars, and the john deere tractors he worked on. Just enough to coat the hose, don't want enough to be getting in the water. You can put that on a rusted fitting, put the hose on it, and it'll last. He'd put it on new fittings and a bit on the inside of the hose where it would fit over the fitting. Helps keep the rust from forming as easily. Also makes it nice when it's time to take the hose back off.

 

Never thought of that. I can see where the vasoline is waterproof and creates a good seal. Gotta love those old time fixes and procedures.