Thermostat Housing Leak, 01 S/T

[monkeydude3]

I have been away from this forum for quite some time due to school and work, but I will need your guys help (which has always been great) with my mom's truck.

It is a 2001 Explorer Sport Trac, 4X4, 4.0L SOHC Automatic. 125000 miles on the clock.

I have been giving it regular fluid changes since we bought it at about 80000, and now we have a coolant leak. It is leaking at a seam on what I can only describe as the "lower thermostat housing."

I was wondering where I could get one of these, if it's a dealer only part, what is involved with replacing it. It looks like the upper intake has to come off as well for the housing to clear. This will not be a problem because I have been planning to replace the o-rings/gaskets on that manifold for a while.

I searched google and came up with another thread on THIS forum describing the part from Ford for the 2001 being a complete assembly at around $300. I also read about "modifying" the truck to a 2002 housing and changing the sensors accordingly.

Any help, info, advice would be greatly welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks much in advance!

 

[mxracer007n98]

I have a 2001 sport trac , its the the o-ring or gasket is leaking at the base of unit, i've bought my therm. hous. at Bob Hurley ford online @delivered to the door for 238.98 total for the whole unit - yu3z-8a586-aa -.......good luck

 

[monkeydude3]

Actually, mine is leaking at a seam about 1 1/2 inches below the thermostat. It seeps out all around that seam, which makes no sense!

I will talk to my mom and see if that particular part you mentioned she would want to order.


Also, did you have to remove the intake to get it out??

 

[mxracer007n98]

Yes, you`re right..there's a oring between the two halves about 10.00 for o-ring, but i otp for the whole unit ....not install yet,..waiting for my ford manual that i order off ebay this week,...some of the members say its fairly easy...i guess we'll both find out shortly...sorry i could'nt help no more than this....I'm learning as i go...good luck

 

[monkeydude3]

Okay, so there IS another O ring... but it also looks like the piece is leaking at the bottom too where it meets (I THINK) the engine??

I think we will be best off replacing the assembly. I'm waiting for my mom to get the $ and a time where she can be without her truck for a few days.

I was in there pretty good looking around, and the two sensors come about 1/4" away from the bottom of the plastic intake. So i have a feeling the intake has to come off.

YARGH!

 

[caidheeter]

so i just pulled mine off....you dont need to pull the intake manafold but now i need to find the part any websites?

 

[buckshotmudder]

mine came apart in the seam and i just orderd a whole new thermostat assembly.. i had less than 90k when mine went out.. my dad just changed his in his 04 at 72k..dealership said that they seem to go bad around 80-100k

 

[Gse Brent]

Mine is leaking as well which i still need to get fixed. Just did the water pump. I've seen thermostat housings on ebay complete for around $120.

 

[mecdaughter]

Anyone know where to find a good book that show "pictures" of how to get to the thermostat on a 2001 sport trac???

 

[carlb]

If you're still looking for info on Thermastat housing replacement, here's a great How-To:

http://bengrosser.com/howto/fordthermostat/

Not my page. just great info.

Carlb