begining the fix
coolant that was dripping onto the ground before fix
picture of tranny soaked with coolant because of leak
old o-ring that came out with the plug, see how its all worn out and has a square shape to it?
This is the new Mc Master Viton o-ring i ordered #203 installed on the plug
After installing the plug back with the new o-ring, the leak was over! This o-ring will take alot of persausion to get in but it will withstand the temperatures that the oem wouldn't. I have like 24 more of them, from a pack of 25. Ill part 15 or so of them if anyone needs this o-ring for a leak problem. Just let me know
I will def. need one pretty soon..I've been really careful of watching my coolant levels..Will I need any other Items , other then what you have..I need to stop being lazy , hehe..How much you asking for?[?] Another thing..noob question..How do u pop that sucker out? And put the new one in..
i didn't shave any of it off, i greased it up with gunk, and smacked it in with a hammer. I had to use a long bold to hold against the plug to reach it because there isnt' much space under there and then i smacked the back side of the bolt a few times and it was in.
Mine has been leaking for a while but I have ben lazy about it. I have topped off the coolant a few times and that is about it. does it just pop out? It doesn't seem to have any threads...And also do you lose much coolant when you take it out??
thanks
Also for the reinstall I am going to use silicone compound (dieltric grease; not RTV) because it won't deteriorate the rubber.
Rockauto had the whole housing with upper hose neck and thermostat all in one unit for like $40. Just unbolt the old and bolt in the new, its all assembled in one unit!
The last pic I posted shows the exact location of the aluminum plug, you can see the coilpack directly above the plug in the pic as well as the hole where the plug fits...here's a pic of the little bitty clip that holds the plug in, and it SUCKS trying to get that little bastage back in. I had to use the opposite end of a hammer to ram the plug back in, and then hold it there with all my might as I tried to fit the little clip back in... [?|]
add everything but the part about "having to smackit with a hammer" and "pry it with a handle". IMHO that is not an o-ring to begin with. But if you're gonna use one grind or shave a flat edge so you don't split the housing.
if i recall correctly only the svtf has the plug.
of course my plug leaked, fixed that, then the housing cracked awhile later. ordered a new housing, the wrong one was sent. the plug hole was molded shut and so was the top sensor hole. i modified it and drilled the top sensor hole and used a coping saw to cut the grooves for the sensors keeper. no more worrying about the plug leaking! altho the sensor was a pita, the old oring fit loose, but a new one went in snug. i can get the housings part number if anyone wants and do a writup on how to mod it.
I just went to Ford today and bought a new Thermostat housing for my 02 ZTS. It only cost me like $58 I believe, and it no longer had that plug. Where the plug should be is now a solid piece of plastic I guess.
I'll do the exchange either tomorrow or over the weekend and I'll write a little about what I found.
I made up a webpage for the info regarding getting the o-ring replacements. Quite a few people have asked for Priority Service and that is now available.
I have this problem now and am wondering if this would cause problems such as oil gettin into the top of the motor and fouling out the plugs? That is what is also happening in my motor, along with the coolant issue. thanks in advance
yea, oil could foul out your plugs in theory, but I doubt its related to the thermostat housing gasket/O-ring. Not sure how you've come to that conclusion or even speculation...
Oil leaking into your engine could foul up alot of things...but when this O-ring leaks, the coolant is leaking down onto your engine, transmission and a couple other places, but eventually the ground. Its not getting into your engine unless you have a coolant leak somewhere else.
I'm getting this leak as well. I took it to a shop and told me that I had to get a new housing and with labor it would be like $130. Where can I get these o-rings and what material are they? Thanks a lot for any help.
The coolant system has two "bleeder" hoses designed to take air out of the system. One of them is on the top of the thermostat housing, the other is on the passenger side top of the radiator. So don't worry about it.
I just started to develop this problem I believe. I noticed a week ago my coolant was low, so I topped it off. I will see if has dropped at all for any reason.
If you can see what color yours has, add the same type, green or possibly yellow. Do not use the orange DexCool for GMs.
Sidenote: The proper size O-ring to use is actually a METRIC o-ring. Remember that Ford converted all its cars to Metric, not to mention the Focus was originally designed in Europe, where metric is the standard. After reading some people used #203 and some used #202, I checked into the metric's and there happens to be a standard metric size right between a #202 and #203. Its a 7mm ID, 13mm OD, 3mm cross-section. I got mine in Viton and of course have some left over. It went back in easily and haven't had a leak since. If you need one, PM me and I'll drop one in the snail mail for you.
Sorry, I'm now out of the o-rings I bought, they can be ordered from places like McMasterCarr.
I just did this, and ordered the metric oring from mcmastercarr. I looked around at all the local automotive parts shops, even a few 'specialty' shops that I was told might have metric o-rings, with no luck.
After getting the o-rings, I switched mine out in about 10 minutes. The metric o-ring fits really well without having to force it. about 1/2 gallon of coolant comes out, but it's a fairly quick switch.
I have been seeing liquid under my car for the past few days and a faint smell of coolant while driving. Checked under the hood and sure enough the plug is leaking and the coolant level is a wee bit low. I may go ahead and get a 180 degree thermostat while I`m at it.
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