Not sure what to do...
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From: All in!
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Not sure what to do...
My coolant started leaking yesterday from the thermostat housing. Should be an easy fix, right?
Here's the problem.
Last year, when I changed out my water pump I was going to change out the thermostat at the same time. But when I tried removing the bolts holding the housing on they were basically impossible to move. One moved a little, but I've got the distince feeling that it's the bolt head about to break off.
Would you risk it and try to remove the housing yourself or would you take it somewhere and pay the extra money just to avoid the potential problem of breaking off the bolt and having to have it towed somewhere to be fixed (if they break off the bolt, at least it's already there and it won't have to be towed).
If you were going to try it yourself is it better to use slowly increasing steady pressure on the ratchet (no air tools :() or is it better to get it on there and hit it hard to try to break it loose? :confused:
thanks!
Here's the problem.
Last year, when I changed out my water pump I was going to change out the thermostat at the same time. But when I tried removing the bolts holding the housing on they were basically impossible to move. One moved a little, but I've got the distince feeling that it's the bolt head about to break off.
Would you risk it and try to remove the housing yourself or would you take it somewhere and pay the extra money just to avoid the potential problem of breaking off the bolt and having to have it towed somewhere to be fixed (if they break off the bolt, at least it's already there and it won't have to be towed).
If you were going to try it yourself is it better to use slowly increasing steady pressure on the ratchet (no air tools :() or is it better to get it on there and hit it hard to try to break it loose? :confused:
thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: Not sure what to do... (Chris Fowler)
I guess it's time you learned how to use bolt extractors! :smash:
Try a little heat, bang on 'em, do whatever it takes...and if the head breaks off, go to the local hardware store and get some extractors.
Try a little heat, bang on 'em, do whatever it takes...and if the head breaks off, go to the local hardware store and get some extractors.
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Re: Not sure what to do... (page62)
I guess it's time you learned how to use bolt extractors! :smash:
Try a little heat, bang on 'em, do whatever it takes...and if the head breaks off, go to the local hardware store and get some extractors.
Try a little heat, bang on 'em, do whatever it takes...and if the head breaks off, go to the local hardware store and get some extractors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Union Ontario
Re: Not sure what to do... (Mack76)
Soak with penetrating oil for a few days..... then undo the bolt until you feel too much resistance, spray some more lubricant and thread back in. Repeat this until the bolt comes out..... it'll take awhile but it should work since you are able to turn the bolt a bit.
Aluminum threads will break prior to the bolt. You'll just have to helicoil the intake.
If its a steel intake you might very well break the bolt off. But the bolt should be only around a grade 3 or lower bolt which means they'll be easy to dril out. Just center punch the bolt and drill throught, soak the bolt in penertrating oil for another few days and then try an extractor.... but be careful.... breaking one of theses in the bolt is worse than having the bolt stuck in there.
Good luck.... My truck's rear end is missing one bolt because of impatience, don't let it get the better of you too!
Aluminum threads will break prior to the bolt. You'll just have to helicoil the intake.
If its a steel intake you might very well break the bolt off. But the bolt should be only around a grade 3 or lower bolt which means they'll be easy to dril out. Just center punch the bolt and drill throught, soak the bolt in penertrating oil for another few days and then try an extractor.... but be careful.... breaking one of theses in the bolt is worse than having the bolt stuck in there.
Good luck.... My truck's rear end is missing one bolt because of impatience, don't let it get the better of you too!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: San Antonio TX
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
Re: Not sure what to do... (page62)
"guess it's time you learned how to use bolt extractors!
Try a little heat, bang on 'em, do whatever it takes...and if the head breaks off, go to the local hardware store and get some extractors."
Next time you break one off, please invite me over for a lesson on extractors.
I have yet to get a broken stud out with an extractor.
Try a little heat, bang on 'em, do whatever it takes...and if the head breaks off, go to the local hardware store and get some extractors."
Next time you break one off, please invite me over for a lesson on extractors.
I have yet to get a broken stud out with an extractor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
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From: Moon Township PA
Re: Not sure what to do... (Chris Fowler)
Instead of WD40, try PB BLaster. It is the best penetrating oil I have ever used. Soak the bolts for at least an hour. Spray some PB on, then lightly tap the bolt. That vibration is supposed to allow the penetrating solution to go deeper into the bolt threads. Then, instead of try to loosen the bolt, turn it the other way. Yes, try to tighten it just a WEE bit. Then, try to loosed it. You will want to try some more PB between the tighten and loosen phase.
Gary
Gary
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Not sure what to do... (GaryS)
Thanks for the tips!
Stopping by the autoparts store on the way home to find some PB Blaster. :D
Then I will spray the bolt and sacrifice two chickens and a goat. :reddevil
Stopping by the autoparts store on the way home to find some PB Blaster. :D
Then I will spray the bolt and sacrifice two chickens and a goat. :reddevil
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From: Deep East Texas
Re: Not sure what to do... (Chris Fowler)
...Then I will spray the bolt and sacrifice two chickens and a goat. :reddevil
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Severna Park Md
Re: Not sure what to do... (Chris Fowler)
I second the motion on the PB Blaster. MikeC also had a good point in loosening the bolts some and then soaking again with penatrant. This would help provide a gap for the fluid to soak in. Good luck. :smash:
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Not sure what to do... (Jvette73)
PB Blaster worked! :yesnod: :cool:
I got the bolts out. I'm going to pick up some new bolts tomorrow. I don't want to reuse these. Then I'll hopefully be back up and running. Maybe even coolant leak free! Wouldn't that be a miracle! :crazy:
I got the bolts out. I'm going to pick up some new bolts tomorrow. I don't want to reuse these. Then I'll hopefully be back up and running. Maybe even coolant leak free! Wouldn't that be a miracle! :crazy:
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Not sure what to do... (Desertdawg)
I've got anti-seize, but I wasn't sure if those bolts went into the water jacket or not. So I wasn't sure if I should be using anti-seize or a sealant...
So they definitely aren't water jacket bolts? (I haven't poked around in the holes yet...)
So they definitely aren't water jacket bolts? (I haven't poked around in the holes yet...)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: Not sure what to do... (Chris Fowler)
Probably one hole goes through to the water jacket, and the other does not, but never the less, you can and should use anit-seze compound on both bolts. The anti-seze compound will work to seal the hole open to the water jacket. Make certain you clean thermostat housing surface of both intake and housing well before re-installation with new gasket and gasket sealant.
Suggest you install a Robert Shaw "balanced" thermostat, 185 degree unit which can be purchased at Auto Zone for under $10. Also suggest you drill a 1/16" hole in thermostat to allow air to escape system when re-filling with coolant.
Suggest you install a Robert Shaw "balanced" thermostat, 185 degree unit which can be purchased at Auto Zone for under $10. Also suggest you drill a 1/16" hole in thermostat to allow air to escape system when re-filling with coolant.
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Not sure what to do... (Chris Fowler)
If you do snap the bolts off and you haven't drilled out a bolt before, those two are probably good ones on which to learn. :yesnod: They're pretty much out in the open & you're not laying on your back drilling at a 17degree angle with hot slivers of metal landing on your face. :eek: :lol: If worse comes to worse, you can alway put in a heli-coil. :chevy
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Not sure what to do... (john's '81 mouse)
I didn't realize I could use anti-seize on a hole that makes it through to the wather jacket...ok. Learn something new every day. :yesnod:
Definitely planning on cleaning the surfaces. I'm actually dropping on a new housing. Steel, not chrome.
I'm not sure what brand thermostat I've got, but it's an 185 degree from AutoZone. One of the fail open units.
What's this about drilling a hole? :confused:
Definitely planning on cleaning the surfaces. I'm actually dropping on a new housing. Steel, not chrome.
I'm not sure what brand thermostat I've got, but it's an 185 degree from AutoZone. One of the fail open units.
What's this about drilling a hole? :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
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From: Moon Township PA
Re: Not sure what to do... (Chris Fowler)
PB Blaster worked! :yesnod: :cool:
I don't want to reuse these. :crazy:
I don't want to reuse these. :crazy:
Gary
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Not sure what to do... (GaryS)
Normally I wouldn't have much of a problem, but I just don't trust these for some reason.
And it's cheap enough to go ahead and replace them for peace of mind.
And it's cheap enough to go ahead and replace them for peace of mind.
