Coolant leak from thermostat housing - Focaljet

**kcackler** · 07-03-2008, 01:15 AM

I've read all the info I can on the thermostat housing leaking. I've come to the pretty easy conclusion that it's either the thermostat housing being cracked, or the O-Rings inside the thermostat housing being old and brittle that's causing the leak.

Which problem is more common? Is it worth it to just buy a new housing and a box of #203 O rings and replace them both?

Also, where did you buy your housing from? I've always used rockauto.com, and they've got it for $14 but if you recommend elsewhere, I'd appreciate the advice.

Thanks in advance.
Kevin

**GapBoyPCS** · 07-03-2008, 05:22 AM

A lot of people have bought the housing and parts from Premier Sponsor, Tousley Ford. You can't go wrong with 10% over cost

**kcackler** · 07-03-2008, 10:48 AM

Would you recommend that I purchase the O rings and housing and just get them both over with now, or is it more than likely one or the other causing the problem?

**Liquid_02_ZX3** · 07-04-2008, 08:36 AM

The housing generally cracks in the portion that surrounds the O-ring. So the O-ring is no longer bound in a circle. The housing cracks before the O-ring goes bad. But put in all new when replacing , T-stat, housing, O-ring.

**kcackler** · 07-04-2008, 02:13 PM

What # is that O-Ring? I thought it was a #203 but now I can't find anything to back that up..

**Liquid_02_ZX3** · 07-04-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcackler

What # is that O-Ring? I thought it was a #203 but now I can't find anything to back that up..

Knowing the number really means nothing, just get everything from the dealer. They will get you the right part.

**bluestreak** · 07-07-2008, 10:30 AM

what you need it the housing, a new o ring for the th thermostat andsince you will be in there might as well replace the thermostat as well that way it is done.

that is what I did.

**GTIspirit** · 07-11-2008, 05:43 PM

Typical spotty Ford quality. I love to drive my 2001 Focus ZX3 S2 and it has been troublefree so far, but with 85,000 miles on it I'm starting to get worried about stuff like this happening that shouldn't happen.

I've had a slight valve cover leak for some time now. Didn't think much of it. Then the other day the thermostat housing started leaking. This is what my leak looks like:

Very strange place for a leak, you're looking at the lower middle bolt. So I didn't think I'd be the only one with such a problem. Thanks for the tip about what causes the problem.

Needless to say that when I replace the thermostat housing and O-ring I'll be replacing the valve cover gasket at the same time.....

**rngufst** · 07-19-2008, 05:53 PM

I just got bit w/the thermostat housing being cracked as well as the valve cover leak. I guess when it rains it pours.

**GTIspirit** · 07-21-2008, 10:35 PM

Here's a picture of my cracked housing.

Looks to me like it could be a manufacturing defect/poor design, wonder if there will be a recall?

**das0618** · 07-21-2008, 10:49 PM

My housing was cracked and they just replace the whole thing at the dealership. Now there are no more ugly puddles under my car!

07-03-2008, 01:15 AM	#1
kcackler Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3	Coolant leak from thermostat housing I've read all the info I can on the thermostat housing leaking. I've come to the pretty easy conclusion that it's either the thermostat housing being cracked, or the O-Rings inside the thermostat housing being old and brittle that's causing the leak. Which problem is more common? Is it worth it to just buy a new housing and a box of #203 O rings and replace them both? Also, where did you buy your housing from? I've always used rockauto.com, and they've got it for $14 but if you recommend elsewhere, I'd appreciate the advice. Thanks in advance. Kevin

07-03-2008, 10:48 AM	#3
kcackler Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3	Re: Coolant leak from thermostat housing Would you recommend that I purchase the O rings and housing and just get them both over with now, or is it more than likely one or the other causing the problem?

07-04-2008, 08:36 AM	#4
Liquid_02_ZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 952	Re: Coolant leak from thermostat housing The housing generally cracks in the portion that surrounds the O-ring. So the O-ring is no longer bound in a circle. The housing cracks before the O-ring goes bad. But put in all new when replacing , T-stat, housing, O-ring. __________________ '02 Liquid ZX3 Power Premium MTX Ported & polished head 10.5 to 1 CR, Comp Stage II w/ adj gears, Ported contour IM w/TB, 4-1 header, 2 1/2" flex back, custom CAI, AFX udp, A/C delete, Sniper 93 octane tune, B&M sts, 225/50/16's w/ custom Eibachs on AGX's and some other stuff.

07-04-2008, 02:13 PM	#5
kcackler Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3	Re: Coolant leak from thermostat housing What # is that O-Ring? I thought it was a #203 but now I can't find anything to back that up..

07-07-2008, 10:30 AM	#7
bluestreak Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 89	Re: Coolant leak from thermostat housing what you need it the housing, a new o ring for the th thermostat andsince you will be in there might as well replace the thermostat as well that way it is done. that is what I did.

07-03-2008, 05:22 AM	#2
GapBoyPCS Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Waterloo/Toronto/GTA, Ontario, Canada Posts: 9,051	Re: Coolant leak from thermostat housing A lot of people have bought the housing and parts from Premier Sponsor, Tousley Ford. You can't go wrong with 10% over cost __________________ Richard - 2002 ZTS \| Sangria Red \| 392,000+ km...Be Bold, Stay Focused 24-7 SVTOA Redline Rendezvous On Track at Mosport \| OFOC - Ontario Focus Owners Club \| SVTOA-Toronto [FJ] focaljet - Forum Guidelines - Welcome to the Jet - Team Canada - FJ Store - Sponsors - SEARCH

07-11-2008, 05:43 PM	#8
GTIspirit TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 615	Re: Coolant leak from thermostat housing Typical spotty Ford quality. I love to drive my 2001 Focus ZX3 S2 and it has been troublefree so far, but with 85,000 miles on it I'm starting to get worried about stuff like this happening that shouldn't happen. I've had a slight valve cover leak for some time now. Didn't think much of it. Then the other day the thermostat housing started leaking. This is what my leak looks like: Very strange place for a leak, you're looking at the lower middle bolt. So I didn't think I'd be the only one with such a problem. Thanks for the tip about what causes the problem. Needless to say that when I replace the thermostat housing and O-ring I'll be replacing the valve cover gasket at the same time.....

07-19-2008, 05:53 PM	#9
rngufst TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Washington, P.A. formerly Phoenix A.Z. Posts: 766	Re: Coolant leak from thermostat housing I just got bit w/the thermostat housing being cracked as well as the valve cover leak. I guess when it rains it pours. __________________ Focus Sport Short Ram Intake,Focus Sport Strut Tower Bar, Blue Laminex Headlight and Foglight kit,Fog light Hack *JCM RACING #52*

07-21-2008, 10:35 PM	#10
GTIspirit TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 615	Re: Coolant leak from thermostat housing Here's a picture of my cracked housing. Looks to me like it could be a manufacturing defect/poor design, wonder if there will be a recall?

07-21-2008, 10:49 PM	#11
das0618 Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SLC, Utah Posts: 48	Re: Coolant leak from thermostat housing My housing was cracked and they just replace the whole thing at the dealership. Now there are no more ugly puddles under my car!

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