Thermostat Housing: Torque Values?
 

I have a small coolant leak from my thermostat housing (no puddles but I can smell the coolant after parking hot car and I can see the residue on the seam between lower thermostat housing and the front case).

It appears that getting at the thermostat housing is a bit involved, but nothing too crazy. What I can't find anywhere is the torque value on the three thermostat housing bolts. I have checked my PDF service manual and no joy. I have searched high and low and have not found it. Can anybody find this torque value?

I did find the specs for the water pump (18.6-25.5 ft-lbs); I may default to those if no one has a different number, but that feels a bit light to me. The thermostat cover has that same torque spec, but the thermostat gasket is thick rubber while the housing gasket appears to be flat (have not gotten my hands on that just yet).

Any help is mighty appreciated.

Housing gasket as I remember is flat. If it is leaking you probably should replace it. 25ft/lbs seems reasonable. I'd just get it good and snug with a star pattern and call it good.

I believe it is 13.8 to 18.8ft/lbs.
Overtightening could cause a leak.

This help any?

Just turn it with a small ratchet till it's tight. It's a damn 10mm (or was it 12mm? whatever) so how high of a torque u want ?

Thanks for the quick replies!

I do plan on using a new gasket - $6 or $7 from the dealer so no big deal.

Mazurfer, that illustration I already had; it shows the thermostat cover but not the housing however after looking at what you posted I realize that I quoted the N-M values, not ft lbs, shame on me.

I am generally not a "slave to the fashion" when it comes to torque specs, but I generally do dig out the torque wrench for critical connectors like brake components as well as parts that contain pressurized fluids like this one.

If those bolts are only 10 or 12mm then the housing is likely smaller and more delicate than I have envisioned (I have not put my dirty fingers on it yet). I will go with the 19 ft lbs and hopefully that will feel right. At any rate I will keep an eye (and a nose) on it after the fix and if I see (smell) a leak I can always tighten the bolts up a little more (if I can get a socket on them!).

SEARCH!

its an 8mm stud/bolt, 12mm heads