I have a problem, I am on the road and my car has a leak at the hose that clamps to the thermostat housing neck.. The thermostat housing neck is aluminum and is pitted. I repaired the pits with JB Weld and thought it was OK. Well upon inspection I have a pretty major leak and tightening the clamp is not fixing the problem. There is a NAPA in town. Has anyone had good luck with a sealant that I could spread on the thermostat housing neck and then reinstall the hose. I realize I will probably wait a will for the sealant to set up before I can leave. Thank you
The thermostat outlet is a pretty common part you might get at the regular auto-parts store if your lucky (some of these are cast iron, some cast aluminum). I would just replace it. Probably the hose too. TA makes a nicer one (correct aluminum). Hope you worked this out...
This should work until you can fix it correctly. Should be able to find it or something very similar, I would check at the NAPA store.. Just clean the inside hose @ point of contact, scuff the thermostat neck and put a coating all the way around and slip the hose back on. Amazon.com: Permatex 22071 Water Pump and Thermostat RTV Silicone Gasket, 0.5 oz., 0.5 Ounce , blue : Automotive
Many times when the housing is chewed up like that the ID of the hose has good size pits in it also, so even when the hose is used on a new housing it will leak or drip.
The water pump RTV from Permatex recommends 24 hour drying time. I used #2 Permatex and double hose clamped it. Let is set up 30 minutes and poured the coolant in and we left. Many thank you's to the hotel owner who loaned me a bucket and the hose clamp off his pickup!
I have a few good ones of the thermo housings in stock. $15.00 shipped within within the 48 States.Bruno.
There is a silicone gasket maker type sealant called "the right stuff" which can be put into service immediately. I use it often with excellent results. Good luck!
Got home 2100 miles the number 2 Permatex worked great. Ran about 190 degrees on the flat and I kept it at about a maximum of 240 degrees in the mountains. I won't mention gas milage and the cost of gas. Thank you for everyone's help.
If you where not running a synthetic oil then change out that oil before the next time you use the car!! running a water temp of 240 pushed your oil temp up pretty high for a mineral based oil to not brake down some.
