So I smelled coolant (again) this morning and I thought I was going to cry because I have replaced every coolant gasket over the past year. I looked around and noticed a leak at the throttle body heater. However, it did not look like the gasket was leaking. Coolant was dripping out of the bottom and top of the rubber end of the hose attached to the rightmost nipple (looking at the engine from the front of the car). The pictures may show what I am talking about. Also I should note that I replaced the throttle heater gasket about 1.5 years ago because of a leak.

My question is: do you think replacing the heater gasket is necessary here? Or maybe replacing the spring clips with worm gear clamps? I have removed the spring clips once or twice while replacing other gaskets, so it is possible they have loosened and are not probably clamping.

Thanks in advance...

 

Definitely replace those spring clamps, they're sh*t. Personally I'd replace the gasket as easy as it is to get to, or even just bypass the damned thing. I've had mine bypassed for a year and I've never had an issue daily driving it in temps ranging between 90 degrees and -10 degrees and everything in between.

 

What size wormgears do you think would work for these hoses? they are pretty small...

 

Buy 5-6 feet of 5/16 heater hose, (if can't find heater hose, buy high temp fuel injection hose or Trans cooler hose, rated at minimum 240*f) & replace the whole thing from reservoir to trottle body heater, that way you will get rid of britle plastic pipe that might snap down the road, & yes replace clamps as well,,,
If trottle body heater gasket was replaced a year ago it shoul be fine for a while,, it's your choice if want to replace it again,, I would keep a spare gasket & check on it every once a while,

(Yes hoses are 5/16")

 

Put a 5.5 mm wrench on the bolts for the throttle body heater, i bet you get a turn.

 

Don't be surprised when you remove the plate and find it plugged up (solidified) with Dexcool. Mine sure was. The blockage added increased pressure to the system and caused mine to leak.

 

Bypass that that thing. It's a piece of garbage and it WILL start leaking again.

 

This is a very common thing. You have two basic options:

1) Bypass the throttle body heater plate entirely.

2) Replace the assembly.

If you opt for the second choice, I'm pretty sure Atlantic British has a kit for it. Shouldn't be incredibly expensive - just make sure you have a 5.5mm driver.

 

I know this solution flies in the face of most looking to fix their truck on the cheap but there's something to be said about crafting a solution that will work longer than the truck will last on the road.

Throttle Body Heater plate, bronze upgrade, V8 Discovery & P38a

 

I saw that but everything they make is out of gold or something:

$160 for a TBH, $90 for a door lock rod?
they are new and improved but its not like millions being spent on research