Thermostat housing leaking coolant

[jamie8470]

There is coolant leaking out of the top of the thermostat housing in my 4.0L Exploder. Do I have to replace the entire unit?
According to records, the unit was replaced two times over in the vehicle's history (has 162,000 miles currently). Is it normal for the unit to be replaced that often?
Should I go I go with the 1Aauto part or is there a better option out there - maybe one that won't just break again?

Thanks

 

[swshawaii]

4.0 SOHC Metal Thermostat Housing Comparison

I obtained 2 thermostat housings for my 2001 Ranger. The original is plastic and not leaking yet but you know how that goes on the 4.0 SOHC. The first one is from Simmons Autosports. I have used theirs before and its a great part, way better than the original plastic one from Ford. Here are...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[jamie8470]

4.0 SOHC Metal Thermostat Housing Comparison

I obtained 2 thermostat housings for my 2001 Ranger. The original is plastic and not leaking yet but you know how that goes on the 4.0 SOHC. The first one is from Simmons Autosports. I have used theirs before and its a great part, way better than the original plastic one from Ford. Here are...

www.explorerforum.com

Nice, glad to see metal versions exist. Maybe I could go with this one?

 

[swshawaii]

There are several aluminum t-stat housings available. Read through the linked eight page thread and be the judge.
Personally I prefer the one-piece Simmons Autosportz housing, but it's also the most expensive.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

many including 4pointslow donalds and @Lee's Automotive have the metal ones. dont have metal on this one, since it was just replace 2 years back (before finding out about metal ones)

 

[Lee's Automotive]

many including 4pointslow donalds and @Lee's Automotive have the metal ones. dont have metal on this one, since it was just replace 2 years back (before finding out about metal ones)

I used a brand called SKP for mine

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I used a brand called SKP for mine

yep i was about to say SKF and i relalized thats the brand of hubs that is in the shed lol

 

[Lee's Automotive]

yep i was about to say SKF and i relalized thats the brand of hubs that is in the shed lol

lol

 

[TechGuru]

Get a metal SKP from RockAuto but transfer your old temp sensor over instead of using the cheap chinese one that it comes with. Also don't use the cheap no name thermostat it comes with. Transfer over or preferably install a new motorcraft thermostat while you have it open.

 

[jamie8470]

I did end up installing the Simmons Autosportz housing. So far it is 100% leak proof! My first ever engine repair yay.
Also put in a new Failsafe thermostat for good measure.

 

[TechGuru]

I'd personally only use the Motorcraft RT1167 190 degree thermostat.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=511619

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/motorcraft/motorcraft-190-degree-thermostat/mot0/rt1167?q=RT1167

Just too critical of a component to use anything else.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I did end up installing the Simmons Autosportz housing. So far it is 100% leak proof! My first ever engine repair yay.
Also put in a new Failsafe thermostat for good measure.
View attachment 439347

concrats!

I'd personally only use the Motorcraft RT1167 190 degree thermostat.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=511619

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/motorcraft/motorcraft-190-degree-thermostat/mot0/rt1167?q=RT1167

Just too critical of a component to use anything else.

gmm maybe, but i belive there was one company it started with an R iirc was it motorad? that patented a design if stat that will fail open every time. while a good amount of stats fail open as is its supposed to fail opek 100% of time
open all the time

 

[Desert_AIP]

I used the Simmons model on my 98, just over 200K. The original wasn't leaking but I went around to replace all the hoses and thermostat and decided to upgrade the housing. Nice drop in install. I used a fail safe Tstat. Simmons has two different upper pieces depending on vehicle year. The one I have has the pipe for the hose at a more vertical angle (just a few degrees higher than the other one).