Re: Coolant leak! Reply #25 – December 23, 2020, 03:00:18 pm So it is back together. I am letting some sealer set before I reinstall the coolant. The old o-ring was black (non-silicone?) and was brittle enough to break when bent with fingers. It had brown goo on it, which I assume to be Bar's Leaks. Removing the thermostat box did not free the block fitting, but it did give enough room to remove the old o-ring, clean the mating surfaces, and get the new o-ring in the channel, while the fitting was still captive. The thermostat and the box seals all looked pristine, so I cleaned the seals and reused them. New thermostat.It was not necessary to remove the water pump. With the bolts removed, it pivots. I did not go into the oil cooler o-rings. No leaks from there, and I thought it best to leave it alone. I respect the notion of going on, but not for me today. The seep of oil was from the oil fill tube. All of the bolts were just beyond finger-tight. I gave then a "snugging," and will clean the area and observe later.I spent a total of about seven hours on this. Subtract at least 1.5 hours of trying to free the block fitting before I worked around it. (it was sooooo close!!) Probably another hour getting one damn hose clamp started that could simply have been slipped over the hose before installing the thermostat block. Subtract an hour of hell for a big, dumb rookie mistake. I was using my new cordless ratchet to remove the water pump bolts. One of them is in a very tight space. I got the bolt loose, but it pinned the wrench in the hole. Reverse it? The reverse tab was way beyond seeing or touching with anything. I eventually was able to use a screwdriver to push the socket off the wrench, and shake it vigorously until it all came loose. Plan B was to jumper the battery to see if reverse polarity would reverse the wrench. NO plan C. I think I got very lucky.So four hours (less draining the coolant, but including the normal fussing, head-scratching,. and walking to get ANOTHER tool) was a good estimate. Quote Selected 6 Likes
Re: Coolant leak! Reply #26 – December 23, 2020, 03:25:55 pm Quote from: oldmattb – December 23, 2020, 03:00:18 pm I was using my new cordless ratchet to remove the water pump bolts. One of them is in a very tight space. I got the bolt loose, but it pinned the wrench in the hole. Reverse it? The reverse tab was way beyond seeing or touching with anything. I eventually was able to use a screwdriver to push the socket off the wrench, and shake it vigorously until it all came loose. That is so rich! I have been in vaguely similar situations and I would bet numerous other DIY'ers on the Forum have been as well. Richard Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Coolant leak! Reply #27 – December 23, 2020, 06:47:06 pm Here is a piece of the o-ring. I tried to fold it end to end, and it broke before it got half way. Rust-brown stains on the surface, though not a hint of rust where it sat.I guess it was time for a new one. Quote Selected 2 Likes
Topic: Coolant leak!