shane10
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- February 9, 2016
- Messages
- 201
- Reaction score
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- City, State
- MW
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Explorer XLS
4WD
Hi all, I recently noticed a slight leak in the lower thermostat housing of my 2002 ford explorer. Went to the dealer for all the parts, no problem. Disconnected all the hoses and sensors, removed the top housing without a problem.
When it came to the lower t-stat housing, 2 of the 3 bolts came off with little resistance. The third however had a severely rounded bolt head, grabbed the bolt extractor socket, which proceeded to DESTROY the remaining stub with nothing left to grab onto, i decided to remove the entire bolt head to allow me to pull the housing off and deal with the remaining bolt.
The bolt itself doesn't thread into the housing, it is smooth with a threaded bottom that screws into the engine (not sure what part), so I was thinking in removing the entire bolt head i would be able to just slide it up and off. NOT THE CASE. I am able to get a little wiggle to left and right, but when i lift, nothing happens.
I was thinking of getting an easy out extractor, but after reading about many negative comments, and the fact the bolt is 5/16 (small) decided against it for now.
I have been working at it for hours, sprayed with PB blaster many times, wiggle to try and break lose, no luck.
Any suggestions on how to remove the bolt? And as to why the housing won't lift, even though it is not truly threaded onto anything.
Thanks
EDIT: I have a new upper/lower t-stat housing waiting to be installed, so not worried about damage to the housing during bolt removal, I will break the existing one to BITS if I have to
When it came to the lower t-stat housing, 2 of the 3 bolts came off with little resistance. The third however had a severely rounded bolt head, grabbed the bolt extractor socket, which proceeded to DESTROY the remaining stub with nothing left to grab onto, i decided to remove the entire bolt head to allow me to pull the housing off and deal with the remaining bolt.
The bolt itself doesn't thread into the housing, it is smooth with a threaded bottom that screws into the engine (not sure what part), so I was thinking in removing the entire bolt head i would be able to just slide it up and off. NOT THE CASE. I am able to get a little wiggle to left and right, but when i lift, nothing happens.
I was thinking of getting an easy out extractor, but after reading about many negative comments, and the fact the bolt is 5/16 (small) decided against it for now.
I have been working at it for hours, sprayed with PB blaster many times, wiggle to try and break lose, no luck.
Any suggestions on how to remove the bolt? And as to why the housing won't lift, even though it is not truly threaded onto anything.
Thanks
EDIT: I have a new upper/lower t-stat housing waiting to be installed, so not worried about damage to the housing during bolt removal, I will break the existing one to BITS if I have to