Eco-friendly thermostat "replacement"

[lo_zarro]

Hi guys.
get ready for a new surprise from my truck.
spoiler alert: i've never ever seen anything with as many bodges as my truck. the prevoius owner was really REALLY crazy.

i'm getting really mad.

the engine temperature has always been too low, and a couple of weeks ago i bought a new thermostat because i was guessing i was driving without it.

today was the day!

i guessed right: thermostat was missing.. but i found something different..

 

[lo_zarro]

do you know what's that?
it's a wooden cap.

i got mad. really.

i removed it, and it's been a pain.

obviously i understood why it was there: as soon as i filled the water to the level, i found a leak in the system. i don't know where.
i closed the bonnet and i came back home because my first thought was to get some petrol and light my truck on fire.
with the previous owner inside.

 

[solarman216]

Do not know why you have a leak but it is not that plug of wood, when your thermostat fully opens it has a plate that covers that by pass hole but the wooden plug is only one side of that bypass, water can come in from the other end anyway, and food for thought removing a thermostat is a get you home solution only for a short time as the stat even when open is a flow controller, without it the flow rate can be far too high causing small areas to cavitate which means no water in contact with that part of the head which causes localised boiling after a while small holes appear like a ball bearing has been pressed into the metal, unchecked it will eat right through, Rick

 

[lo_zarro]

thanks Rick.
i've calmed down a bit after a good sleep! i was just taking a look to the service manual. the cooler system is really easy and i wasn't understanding how a leak could be revealed unplugging that wood. so you're confirming they're not related.

i'm going to have another look today after work. yesterday evening it was already dark! unfortunately i don't have a test cap for the radiator.

 

[Fez_uk]

I think some thermostat top covers are plastic, Prone to cracking when over tightened. Could be that.

 

[lo_zarro]

mine is an aluminium one..

I'm quite sure the cause of the leak is tha i'm a moron! i forgot to order the new gasket with the new stat, and i used a liquid sealant for flanges.
i'll buy the gasket or use a liquid gasket and i'll try again.

yesterday i was too nervous to think!

 

[Banshee]

do you know what's that?
it's a wooden cap.

i got mad. really.

i removed it, and it's been a pain.

obviously i understood why it was there: as soon as i filled the water to the level, i found a leak in the system. i don't know where.
i closed the bonnet and i came back home because my first thought was to get some petrol and light my truck on fire.
with the previous owner inside.

:lol :lol :lol

Don't do it!!! It's not worth the prison time :bobby:

If you still have that piece of wood and it's dried out, Barrbeast will have it off you for his next fire pit failure when he's out camping :lol

Interested to know the source of your leak :freak3:

Keep us posted!!!

 

[lo_zarro]

news!
yesterday i went back to the truck, to check the leak of the thermostat.
I bought a sheet of gasket paper and i had to take the shape of the cover.

in the pic you can see what i found..

the piece was for sure already broken: the corrosion marks talks clear.

i didn't find a spare nearby and in few time, but fortunately at work there's a tig welder and today i had the housing back again!

welding isn't perfect, but i hope it won't leak.

i also laser-cutted a couple of gasket: much better than using scissors!

 

[Banshee]

news!
yesterday i went back to the truck, to check the leak of the thermostat.
I bought a sheet of gasket paper and i had to take the shape of the cover.

in the pic you can see what i found..

the piece was for sure already broken: the corrosion marks talks clear.

i didn't find a spare nearby and in few time, but fortunately at work there's a tig welder and today i had the housing back again!

welding isn't perfect, but i hope it won't leak.

i also laser-cutted a couple of gasket: much better than using scissors!

Well done that man :clap

I think I'm out of stock of metal housings but I do have a plastic one I think from my last breaker if you are interested? Surely got to be better than your broken metal one :nenau

 

[lo_zarro]

i've found one from a supplier here! but anyway i'm going to check the welded one asap.

meanwhile some spares for the rear window has arrived.. it'll be a busy weekend

 

[lo_zarro]

good news!
New thermostat fitted and everything works well! no leaks, and coolant temperature is now rising correctly!