A few years ago I tried to change the thermostat on my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 V8 5.2, and when I went to put the bolt back, I snapped it. We ended up drilling it and tapping it with a larger bolt. The problem is, when we drilled it, we went to far and punctured through it. There are two bolts, and this is the one on upper left side, if you are looking at the engine. It's shaped like a cup. I thought it was fine, but now I find I am leaking anti-freeze, and from my conclusion, it looks like it is coming up from through the bolt hole that we punctured through. I am really not sure how to fix it, and if it can be fixed. I have gone out there and tightened it as much as a I can, but I suspect when the engine gets hot, and the antifreeze gets hot, it just makes the bolt loose, and with the pressure, is able to find it's way out. It doesn't leak all the way out. The way the height of the radiator is compared to the bolt hole, it looks like it leaks out just until it's level with the amount of antifreeze in the radiator, overnight. Does anybody have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

Pull the bolt, put some RTV on the threads, put the bolt back in. Don't over-tighten it. Should solve the issue.

 

Is there a certain kind? When I search online for Loctite RTV, I see several different types. My neighbor said Loctite has to be heated to 600 degrees to get loose again. Maybe he was referring to something else. I have that blue silicone gasket maker stuff. Can I use that? Thanks!

 

Don't want loctite. Just regular, average, everyday RTV. Red or Black works fine.