What would be the reason for this?

[Rangerman1987]

I am replacing the thermostat on a 2003 Explorer that I just recently purchased and when I took off the housing to remove the old one this is what I see?
It looks like the PO used silicone around it but why?
Any ideas?

 

[swshawaii]

Sealant not used in the Ford Workshop Manual. Appears your LOWER thermostat housing is leaking. Motorcraft RH148 (One Sensor)

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

 

[Rangerman1987]

Thanks for the link. So you think he used this to stop a leak? If so it has worked because I have owned this for about 3 months and have not had any problems leaking coolant?
How would the silicone stop a leak in the lower housing?
Also does anyone know how to position the thermostat bleed hole when I install the new one?
Thanks,
Rangerman

 

[rclayton]

can you clean a catalytic converter in stead of replacing it?

 

[swshawaii]

The lower housing splits at the seams. By far the most common failure in the 4.0L SOHC cooling system. Your first pic shows coolant residue on top of the housing caused by this. Read the link provided and search the forum, extremely common failure.

 

[Rangerman1987]

The lower housing splits at the seams. By far the most common failure in the 4.0L SOHC cooling system. Your first pic shows coolant residue on top of the housing caused by this. Read the link provided and search the forum, extremely common failure.

OK, thanks for the information.
Rangerman

 

[Number4]

The "bleed" holes orientation on this vehicle wouldn't appear to matter. You want it on top usually.

 

[Number4]

can you clean a catalytic converter in stead of replacing it?

Just want to mention that this isn't exactly a nice reply. Especially as it seems to be your first post.

Everyone should keep in mind that some members (not suggesting the OP of this thread) have varying mechanical experience. And a lot of people come to these forums to start out and get answers to even "silly" questions.

At least to me your reply seemed a little off color.

 

[Rangerman1987]

The "bleed" holes orientation on this vehicle wouldn't appear to matter. You want it on top usually.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

 

[2Trux]

Just want to mention that this isn't exactly a nice reply. Especially as it seems to be your first post.

Everyone should keep in mind that some members (not suggesting the OP of this thread) have varying mechanical experience. And a lot of people come to these forums to start out and get answers to even "silly" questions.

At least to me your reply seemed a little off color.

I don't think this was a reply to the OP's question. It looks to be a mistake by a noob in posting his own question.

[MENTION=272388]rclayton[/MENTION], you need to start your own thread to get a question answered, especially when it has nothing to do with the current thread.

 

[Number4]

I don't think this was a reply to the OP's question. It looks to be a mistake by a noob in posting his own question.

Now that would be funny.

[MENTION=272388]rclayton[/MENTION], were you trying to ask a question?