Is this common (t-stat replacement)?

[4Runner4Leon]

Thank you, and that is what I had hoped. Can anyone confirm or deny?

When I removed the studs, I'm quite sure I saw some coolant come out of those holes. It was dark though, but I do remember that...

Hmmm, I don't think that's normal. Maybe that's why your studs rusted? As far as I can see, the studs are totally isolated from the water passages, see below. The only way I can see the studs being exposed to coolant is if the holes they thread into in the block are not blind holes, but through holes that go into the block coolant passages. That would be really dumb of course.

 

[TonyB66]

Hmmm, I don't think that's normal. Maybe that's why your studs rusted? As far as I can see, the studs are totally isolated from the water passages, see below. The only way I can see the studs being exposed to coolant is if the holes they thread into in the block are not blind holes, but through holes that go into the block coolant passages. That would be really dumb of course.

That's a really nice image.

MAYBE what I saw in the dark is the fluid come through the housing hole! The housing was still on, so that might be what I saw. Going out there now to take a look... Thanks.

 

[octanejunkie]

Hmmm, I don't think that's normal. Maybe that's why your studs rusted? As far as I can see, the studs are totally isolated from the water passages, see below. The only way I can see the studs being exposed to coolant is if the holes they thread into in the block are not blind holes, but through holes that go into the block coolant passages. That would be really dumb of course.

It's not uncommon for bolt holes to be exposed to the water jacket in various places of an engine. In that case the Fastener usually calls for some sealant at the tip to prevent the water from penetrating through the threads. That is very common.

I don't know if that is the case with these studs in this location.

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[4Runner4Leon]

It's not uncommon for bolt holes to be exposed to the water jacket in various places of an engine. In that case the Fastener usually calls for some sealant at the tip to prevent the water from penetrating through the threads. That is very common.

I don't know if that is the case with these studs in this location.

My Mopar motors did that, so I'm familiar with the practice. But I think Toyota is smarter than that, and I don't think I saw any reference to using sealant at the stud ends. But it is possible, I think the best way to confirm it is for Tony to stick something into the stud hole and see if it bottoms out or goes deep enough into the engine to get into cooling passages.

 

[TonyB66]

I can confirm that the holes that receive the studs bottom at 2", at least the two that I have open (@1 and 5 o'clock).

The jiggle dance was indeed during the lunch hour, will be after work going-forward... :girl:

Note the date on the t-stat. I will keep it...

 

[TonyB66]

The studs cleaned-up nicely. The rust was minimal, and only on the nut side.

Sat in some vinegar, and some light wire brushing, then brake cleaner.

Blue Loctited at 11 am PT. Will reassemble, sans t-stat, for a thorough distilled water flush tomorrow morning. Then install the new t-stat with gasket, new radiator, cap with upper and lower hoses...

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Thumbs up!

 

[TonyB66]

Related, I found these on the ground, I think due to me leaning into the engine bay. I was so careful when removing the grille too.

Are these the right ones?

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product...sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A33ANVHP25WXFN

A 20-pack, but maybe they are used elsewhere too...

 

[octanejunkie]

Related, I found these on the ground, I think due to me leaning into the engine bay. I was so careful when removing the grille too.

Are these the right ones?

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product...sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A33ANVHP25WXFN

A 20-pack, but maybe they are used elsewhere too...

Yup, get em. I paid more for 10 in the past.

The trick is to take them out of the core support and head lights and reinstall them back into the grille before you you leaning on them, but they do break over time.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Haha, must be something in the air. I needed those too last weekend, cause I broke most of them when removing my grille. If you need them in a hurry, you can get these as Same Day delivery - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M1H4X9Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Better reviews too. Then again, they are grille clips, not water pumps, what could possibly go wrong by going cheaper .

 

[octanejunkie]

The grille clips I bought came bagged with a Toyota sticker on them. I got aftermarket ones with the 96 grille I bought for my Satoshi mod and the difference is very noticeable. Buy the Toyota clips.

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[TonyB66]

Thanks Mike. Well, I didn't buy the Toyota clips (you posted after the purchase). Oh well, hopefully they will do the trick, at least until I get an aftermkt grille...

So... Loctite 24 hours and ticking, was about to re-assemble, minus the t-stat, and flush and I just realized that I'd have metal-on-metal with no rubber gasket from the t-stat there. I can gut-out the "old" t-stat, then install that with the rubber gasket...

Looking around the garage for some rubber material that I can cut for this purpose, 3 holes for the studs of course...

 

[octanejunkie]

Thanks Mike. Well, I didn't buy the Toyota clips (you posted after the purchase). Oh well, hopefully they will do the trick, at least until I get an aftermkt grille...

So... Loctite 24 hours and ticking, was about to re-assemble, minus the t-stat, and flush and I just realized that I'd have metal-on-metal with no rubber gasket from the t-stat there. I can gut-out the "old" t-stat, then install that with the rubber gasket...

Looking around the garage for some rubber material that I can cut for this purpose, 3 holes for the studs of course...

Don't parts stores still sell gaskets?

 

[TonyB66]

Don't parts stores still sell gaskets?

Yes, gasket material that one can cut to shape, holes, etc. I might need to make a trip. I should have thought of this, but failed to do so. Still trying to find something here...

 

[octanejunkie]

Yes, gasket material that one can cut to shape, holes, etc. I might need to make a trip. I should have thought of this, but failed to do so. Still trying to find something here...

RTV can work if you let it cure some till you order one and it arrives.

 

[TonyB66]

Ok, now where was I?!

 

[octanejunkie]

All this for just a flush?

 

[TonyB66]

All this for just a flush?

I'd still be at Napa now.

If I put another t-stat in the future, it will be a new one anyways...

 

[TonyB66]

To close this out, flushing goes much faster with no t-stat involved. A better flush without that obstruction, not sure about that, but some believe...

I even tried the shop vac on the upper and lower hoses, but unlike other cars, I didn't get out much more.

The first flush was a very dark green, like a pond scum color:

I ended-up doing 4 flushes, or eight gallons of distilled through the system. I almost stopped at three flushes, but it was not quite clear. We make our own distilled water, and have it on tap in our kitchen...

Tomorrow I'll install the new t-stat, radiator and hoses, finally.

Thanks for the help!

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Well done! That actually looks pretty good compared to what came out of my radiator when I did the drain. I'm guessing over the years the PO mixed green and red coolants, yuck.