thermostat removal

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Apr 23, 2007
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Hello,

I need to remove the thermostat from my Land Cruiser because I believe it is stuck. The engine idled fine for about 30 minutes. I took it for a ride about a 1/2 mile and started to overheat.
When I remove the thermostat, can I reuse the gasket when I rebolt the pieces back together? Do I need a new gasket or a tube of some type of reseal grease?

Thanks for the help.

chrisusvi
 
Get new gaskets, every time. Are you "hoping" that it is a bad thermostat, or do you have a confident diagnosis? Overheating can be caused by a lot of things. When you put the new thermostat in, be certain to install the round black rubber gasket at the top. Otherwise, you will never have heat in the winter. Ask me how I know.
 
X2 on new gasket. It is a paper gasket that has been there for who knows how many years, and it will without a doubt, tear upon removal. I could not get one readily when I replaced my t-stat last year, and had to cut my own. If you have the time, check ahead and have them order it if they don't have it. My cruiser is my only set of wheels, and it was going to be a day or so before they got one in, so I had no choice, other than RTV, which is usually a last resort for me.
 
Be careful removing the T stat top cover bolts. They have a tendency to strip the soft aluminum threads in the bottom half. They did on mine and I had to buy another housing. If you have time, spray the bolts and the openings on the bottom of the housing with PB Blaster or other penetrant.. Hit them gently with heat (flame) and give it a day. Don't use air tools. Just crack the bolts loose and hit 'em again with PB Blaster. Wait. Loosen and spray. Then loosen some more.

Hopefully you won't strip the threads. Use anti seize when reassembling. And ALWAYS use a new gasket.

Good luck.

S
 
Two of the bolts on mine snapped off, the steel bolts had corroded into the aluminum housing.
 
if you go to toyota it really isnt much money for gaskets or thermo
 
Two of the bolts on mine snapped off, the steel bolts had corroded into the aluminum housing.
i had one bolt snap off and am actually just running with three now for over two years with no problems. im sorry you had two snap, that just sucks
 
It is always recommended to use Bostik "Never-Seez" anti-seize and lubricating compound on the threads of the bolts. This prevents seizure, corrosion, rust and galvanic pitting of bolts and nuts when assembling. The compound consists of aluminum powder, copper powder and zinc oxide in a paste.

Additionally consider the following formula when figuring torque specs with greased bolts.

Dry torque specification X 1.17 X 0.80

For example, the thermostat housing 15 Ft Lbs dry would equal ... 15 X 1.17 X .80 = 14.04 Ft Lbs GREASED.

This formula is sound with any lubricated bolt or lug nut.
 
The bolts should be replaced as standard practice. Their cost compared to the labor involved in extracting broken bolts should make the math easy. Tighten them only as much as necessary.
 
It is always recommended to use Bostik "Never-Seez" anti-seize and lubricating compound on the threads of the bolts. This prevents seizure, corrosion, rust and galvanic pitting of bolts and nuts when assembling. The compound consists of aluminum powder, copper powder and zinc oxide in a paste.

Additionally consider the following formula when figuring torque specs with greased bolts.

Dry torque specification X 1.17 X 0.80

For example, the thermostat housing 15 Ft Lbs dry would equal ... 15 X 1.17 X .80 = 14.04 Ft Lbs GREASED.

This formula is sound with any lubricated bolt or lug nut.

Is this a standard SAE formula ? Just curious how the math is derrived... ?:confused:
S.
 

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