coolant leak, please help

[whyme1985]

Ok so I have a 2005 4.0l xlt and slowly have been loosing coolant and now I finally can smell it and see where its coming from, anyone who can tell me what the part is and is it cheap and a DIY type of job. I'm no master mechanic but know my way around an engine. Again thanks to everyone who can help me out. It's got the main coolant line running into the top of it and a smaller line going out and an electrical connection, the piece where the hoses go into is what's leaking, I had to pull the one hose off when I did my plugs, thought we could post pics but I guess not. If yoi need more details just let me know thanks

 

[swshawaii]

Very common. Inspect the lower thermostat housing for leaks or splitting seams.
Check the part numbers, you may have the single sensor RH148/DY1004 housing. GL

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

 

[whyme1985]

Thanks a lot for the help, I noticed mine was a little different becaUse of it being a 2005, and it only has the 1 sensor, mine also looks like ill have a lot of room to work its front and center easy access but thanks a lot. Any other hints or tips would be cool.

 

[Huskerbob]

Thermostat housing replacement

Thanks a lot for the help, I noticed mine was a little different becaUse of it being a 2005, and it only has the 1 sensor, mine also looks like ill have a lot of room to work its front and center easy access but thanks a lot. Any other hints or tips would be cool.

I just did mine on '03 Eddie 4x4 and it was fairly simple. Found the correct new Motocraft t-stat housing on ebay for $35. Picked up a new water temp sending unit at O'rielly Auto Parts for another $10 as well as the rubber band 'O' ring for the bottom of the housing along with a new t-stat.

Drain the system at the bottom passenger side of the radiator and save that fluid. Careful, this is a plastic drain plug so don't go wrenching on it.

Remove the top 3 bolts from the housing and move the upper hose aside. Either save the old t-stat or get a new one at the auto parts store. Remove the heater hose.

Remove the sending unit. It has a 'C' clip that just pulls out from the rear of the plastic stub. DO NOT try to wrench it out. The wrench flats are useless. Just pull straight up. Don't lose the 'C' clip the Ford dealer gets $6 for a new one and don't ask me how I know that.

Remove the 3 bolts from the lower housing and remove the housing. Now you will see where it was leaking. The seam at the back will be split.

Put the new housing on with the new 'O' ring and tighten the 3 bolts snug. Put the new t-stat in and attach the upper hose and t-stat cover. No need to overdo the bolts. Good and snug should do it.

Fill with saved or new juice and your all set. You may have to tend the overflow container until you get all of the air bubbles out of the system.

(My t-stat is not covered by all the air intake etc. that the posting by swshawaii shows but I guess that varies by year. It sounds like yours is similar to mine so super easy. I did not have to remove any other stuff that did not have to do with the housing. Once you get to the housing it's all the same except if you one or two sending units. Mine just has one.)

That should just about do it.

Good Luck.