Petrified gasket removal

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Went to replace a suspected bad thermostat on the old Taurus my father gave me two months ago, and after I had the old one out, I opened the box for the new (Stant) thermostat, and was surprised to see that it lacked the jiggle valve that the old one had, and that the shop manual says you need to need to position at the top when installing.

Has there been some great breakthrough in thermostat design in the last 12 years that renders this feature unnecessary? Or should I go back to the store and get another thermostat?

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:25 am

I saw a similar things with the Celica's Stant thermostat. I ended up just getting a new Toyota one (all of $15), however I think very close inspection of the Stant part may have revealed a small notch in right about the same place as the jiggle valve.

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

They use this v-notch setup now that is supposed to keep the temperature more stable with less lows and highs. See here:

http://www.stant.com/brochure.cfm?broch ... ion_id=168

I saw another manufacturer has a design that is supposed to be guaranteed that it can never stick closed and burn up your engine.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

The Advance counter man sold me the "economy" Stant thermostat. No v-notch. I think I'll go exchange it.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Having trouble removing the remnants of the old thermostat housing gasket from the flange on the aluminum intake manifold. Don't want to use a steel scraper for fear of gouging the flange. Suggestions?

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

This stuff is amazing. Softens just about anything to the point that it can be wiped off. Probably causes cancer in all 50 states, not just California:

Johnathan Eshleman · **Posted:** Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:58 pm

When the label says wear gloves, it means it. This stuff will burn... but it works great.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Johnathan Eshleman wrote:

When the label says wear gloves, it means it.

It says that? :shock:

Since I didn't want to overspray onto the myriad vacuum lines and wiring harnesses that are conveniently arrayed under the thermostat, I sprayed some of the stuff into a soda bottle cap and then used a q-tip to apply it to the flange. After 2 tries I got the flange pretty clean. Thanks for the tip, Mike. Neat stuff. It fizzles!

After refilling the radiator and starting the motor, I had a moment of panic when I could not recall which way I put the thermostat into the housing. Nice. However, the engine warmed up to 1/3 on the gauge (and stayed there) and the top hose got hot. No obvious leaks. That qualifies as success for tonight.

JamesFeinberg · **Posted:** Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:03 am

Arthur McDonald wrote:

...and then used a q-tip to apply it to the flange.

You Mustang guys are so dainty! :wink:

Jim

ChuckNelson · **Posted:** Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:59 pm

3M Roloc discs come in alluminum freindly models and a couple of sizes. When combined with a die grinder, they will remove gasket in seconds.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:02 pm

ChuckNelson wrote:

3M Roloc discs come in alluminum freindly models and a couple of sizes. When combined with a die grinder, they will remove gasket in seconds.

+1 for the Roloc stuff.

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