Thermostat Housing Leak, 01 S/T

monkeydude3 · 04-12-2009, 11:55 AM

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 · 04-14-2009, 02:23 PM

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 · 04-15-2009, 07:10 AM

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 · 04-15-2009, 10:15 AM

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 · 04-16-2009, 07:53 AM

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 · 06-27-2010, 10:44 PM

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 · 07-03-2010, 06:53 PM

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* · 07-09-2010, 07:12 PM

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 · 12-13-2010, 01:28 PM

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

carlb · 02-07-2011, 03:59 PM

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

04-12-2009, 11:55 AM	#1
monkeydude3 Wannabe Elite Explorer Millbrook, Illinois 2001 Explorer Sport Trac Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 477 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thermostat Housing Leak, 01 S/T 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! __________________ Live each day as if it's your last.

04-15-2009, 07:10 AM	#3
monkeydude3 Wannabe Elite Explorer Millbrook, Illinois 2001 Explorer Sport Trac Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 477 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	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?? __________________ Live each day as if it's your last.

04-16-2009, 07:53 AM	#5
monkeydude3 Wannabe Elite Explorer Millbrook, Illinois 2001 Explorer Sport Trac Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 477 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	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! __________________ Live each day as if it's your last.

07-03-2010, 06:53 PM	#7
buckshotmudder Wannabe Elite Explorer Jefferson City, TN 04 Sport Trac 2wd Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 687 Vehicle Specs	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 __________________ 04 Sport Trac 2wd- 265/35/22s~ 5% tint~ K&N 57series Intake~Tinted Tails~35% tinted windshield~Black LED 3rd Brake Light~Tailgate LED Light Bar~10K HID's...More To Come

04-14-2009, 02:23 PM	#2
mxracer007n98 Wannabe Elite Explorer N.C. 2001 explorer sport trac Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	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

04-15-2009, 10:15 AM	#4
mxracer007n98 Wannabe Elite Explorer N.C. 2001 explorer sport trac Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	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

06-27-2010, 10:44 PM	#6
caidheeter Wannabe Elite Explorer Vancouver, Wa 2001 sport trac Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs	so i just pulled mine off....you dont need to pull the intake manafold :-) but now i need to find the part any websites?

07-09-2010, 07:12 PM	#8
Gse Brent Elite Explorer Small Wonder 2001 Explorer Sport Trac Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 553 Vehicle Specs	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.

12-13-2010, 01:28 PM	#9
mecdaughter Wannabe Elite Explorer henderson, nv 2001 sport trac Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs	Anyone know where to find a good book that show "pictures" of how to get to the thermostat on a 2001 sport trac???

02-07-2011, 03:59 PM	#10
carlb Wannabe Elite Explorer Central Florida 2001 Sport Trac Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs	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