Went to get in the truck after driving it earlier and thought what is that bringing smell and why is there so much liquid under my truck. Pretty much all of the coolant has leaked out and I believe it is coming out at the thermostat housing.

Has anyone just tried switching out the thermostat and o-ring without replacing the whole housing? Not worried about Coolant leaking out cause there isn’t any.

Anyone changed out the whole housing?

 

I did just the thermostat and housing on our LR3 a few years back. I just changed the complete housing about a year ago and the water pump last weekend. If you can determine the source of the leak and you only need to change the thermostat and cover, great. replacing the entire housing is a pain. If you do change the whole housing, there is a green o-ring that seals the intake and the housing. Not a bad idea to change that while you are there. I didn't on mine, I was in to the job before I noticed that I didn't have that o-ring and the dealer was closed. I have not noticed any ill effects, but still, a cheap and easy maintenance issue while you are in there. Good luck. (by the way, the water pump was a breeze, except for the broken bolt......the last snug of the last bolt, there are 5 on the water pump, snapped, neither dealer in San Diego had any in stock. I got one from a friendly indy shop that works on the trucks on occasion. 7 foot pounds means 7 foot pounds, as light as that might seem......).


Good luck, Phil

 

Thanks Phil. I think I know where the culprit is. See pics my concern is the pool of coolant in second pick. I’m hoping it just sprayed.

 

Don't skimp on your cooling system. Change out the complete assembly and do the water pump wile there.

 

do not use sealant on the gasket! My experience, twice without sealant, all is still good, one time with sealant, started leaking from the gasket within a month..........for me, I won't use sealant. Phil

 

I never use sealant.

 

Do the whole housing. They also weaken where they bolt to the engine and split. Change it now while you have it apart and save yourself a future breakdown.